Senate Affirms Electronic Transmission of Election Results Amid Debate

The Nigerian Senate has amended the Electoral Act to allow for electronic transmission of election results, following intense discussions and public debate over election transparency. However, the amendment retains the use of manual reporting via Form EC8A in areas with poor internet connectivity.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Akin Rotimi, member representing Ekiti North I Federal Constituency, emphasized that the Senate’s decision follows proper parliamentary procedure and reflects the best interest of Nigerians. He said returning to plenary for deliberation allows senators to review committee recommendations and incorporate civil society feedback.

“The Senate has acted in the interest of Nigerians. This is part of the legislative process. Committee-level reviews and feedback from stakeholders were essential before returning to plenary to finalise provisions,” Rotimi said.

The amended Electoral Act permits electronic transmission of results but removes the “real-time” designation. In the event of network failure, Form EC8A remains the primary tool for recording election outcomes. The provision is designed to ensure continuity in collation and maintain the integrity of results during technical disruptions.

Despite the amendment, some critics remain concerned. Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and former presidential candidate, argued that many lawmakers resist fully transparent elections because it could threaten their re-election prospects. He described the Senate’s decision to retain manual collation as “clever by half,” asserting it preserves avenues for reverting to traditional reporting methods, which he claims have eroded public trust.

Sowore also recommended that Nigeria adopt electronic voting systems, similar to India’s model, where nearly 900 million voters participate securely. He questioned why Nigerians cannot vote electronically from home while conducting other confidential digital transactions, suggesting that modernized electoral systems would significantly enhance transparency.