The Nigerian Senate has retained the proviso in Clause 60 of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026, allowing manual transmission of election results as a backup when electronic transmission fails due to network or communication issues.

This decision came after a heated debate and a division vote on the floor, triggered by opposition from Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC, Abia South), who sought to remove the manual fallback provision and push for stricter reliance on electronic means.

Under the retained clause, presiding officers are required to electronically transmit results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) where possible. However, if network failures occur, the manually completed and signed Form EC8A (duly signed by the presiding officer and party agents where available) serves as the primary basis for collation and declaration of results.

This positions electronic transmission as the preferred method while providing a safeguard against technical glitches, reaffirming aspects of the existing 2022 Electoral Act framework.

The Senate passed the broader Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Amendment Bill 2026 on Tuesday amid the tense session, with similar debates echoing in the House of Representatives (including a walkout by some opposition members over related clauses).

The bill now advances toward harmonization between both chambers and potential assent, ahead of preparations for future elections like 2027. Critics argue the manual backup could open doors to manipulation, while supporters see it as pragmatic for Nigeria’s varying infrastructure realities.