The Senate has rejected a proposal to make the electronic transmission of election results compulsory, a decision seen as a setback to efforts to entrench real-time upload of polling unit results into Nigeria’s electoral law.
Lawmakers, during clause-by-clause consideration of the Electoral Amendment Bill on Wednesday, voted down an amendment to Clause 60(3) which sought to compel presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to electronically transmit polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal immediately after Form EC8A is signed and stamped.
Instead, the upper chamber retained the existing provision in the Electoral Act, which grants INEC discretion over the mode of result transmission. The clause states that “the presiding officer shall transfer the results, including the total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot, in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.”
By this decision, electronic transmission of results remains optional rather than mandatory, with the procedure to be determined by INEC’s operational guidelines rather than fixed by statute.
In the same session, the Senate also moderated penalties relating to the trading of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), rejecting a proposed 10-year jail term for offenders. Lawmakers retained a two-year imprisonment term but increased the fine from ₦2 million to ₦5 million under Clause 22 of the bill.
Senators also approved amendments shortening key electoral timelines. Clause 28 was revised to reduce the notice of election period from 360 days to 180 days before polling day. Under the original provision, INEC was required to publish election notices in all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory at least 360 days ahead of an election.
Similarly, Clause 29 was amended to cut the deadline for political parties to submit their lists of candidates from 180 days to 90 days before a general election. The new provision requires parties to submit names of candidates who emerged from valid primaries not later than 90 days to the poll.
On ballot paper format, the Senate retained the existing provision in Clause 44, which mandates INEC to invite political parties, not later than 20 days before an election, to inspect samples of electoral materials bearing their names, logos or symbols. Political parties are required to respond within two days, indicating approval or raising objections.
Regarding voter accreditation, lawmakers replaced the use of smart card readers with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) under Clause 47. However, the Senate rejected electronically generated voter identification and retained the Permanent Voter Card as the recognised means of identification at polling units.
The Senate also struck out Clause 142, which dealt with the effect of non-compliance with the Act. The deleted provision would have allowed political parties to rely solely on documentary evidence, without oral testimony, to prove alleged violations. Senators argued that the clause could encourage procedural shortcuts and potentially waste judicial time.
The decisions form part of the Senate’s ongoing consideration of the Electoral Amendment Bill, which is expected to reshape Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of future general elections.
