(DDM) – Diaspora Digital Media confirms that the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday approved the electronic transmission of election results while retaining manual collation as a backup, following a tense plenary session marked by opposition from 15 lawmakers over Clause 60 of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026.
The upper chamber voted 55 to 15 in favor of maintaining the manual fallback provision, which ensures that Form EC8A, signed and completed manually at polling units, remains legally decisive if electronic transmission fails. Senators opposing the clause, led by Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC/Abia South), had advocated for real-time electronic uploads without a backup system.
The decision comes after the Senate earlier rescinded the bill to review discrepancies in several clauses, including Clause 60, and to align the legislation with the February 2027 general elections announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The reversal allowed the Senate to restart deliberations and reconsider the contentious manual transmission provision.
Tuesday’s proceedings were dominated by heated exchanges over Clause 60, which governs the collation and electronic transmission of election results.
Abaribe demanded a division on the clause, triggering a rowdy session reminiscent of his earlier, withdrawn attempt during last week’s emergency plenary. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele intervened to maintain order, noting that procedural motions allowed for reconsideration under Order 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders.
The manual backup clause ensures that, in cases where polling unit results cannot be transmitted electronically to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) due to network disruptions, manually documented results will serve as the official record. The amendment provides legal certainty and preserves the integrity of election outcomes, preventing potential disputes caused by technological failures.
Senators who supported the provision, including Deputy Minority Leader Lere Oyewunmi, argued that manual documentation safeguards democracy and protects voters’ interests. Those opposing the clause expressed concerns that retaining a manual fallback could slow result collation and reduce transparency. Despite the dissent, the majority prevailed, reinforcing the Senate’s position on balancing technology and accountability.
Earlier in the session, Bamidele highlighted multiple inconsistencies in the bill, including cross-referencing, numbering, and internal alignment across clauses 6, 9, 10, 22, 23, 28, 29, 32, 42, 47, 51, 60, 62, 64, 65, 73, 77, 86, 87, 89, 93, and 143. He also noted that the timing of the 2027 elections, coinciding with Ramadan, could impact voter turnout and logistics, justifying the bill’s rescission and reevaluation.
The renewed approval follows intense public scrutiny, protests, and advocacy by youth movements, civil society groups, and opposition figures demanding strong electoral safeguards. While electronic transmission remains mandatory, the Senate’s insistence on a manual backup ensures continuity, legal clarity, and resilience against technological failures ahead of the 2027 elections.
