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The Nigerian Senate has approved its Votes and Proceedings, allowing for the electronic transmission of election results, according to a statement by civil society group, Situation Room Nigeria.
Under the new resolution, Presiding Officers at polling units are mandated to electronically transmit results to the INEC Result Viewing (iRev) portal after the forms have been signed and stamped by the Presiding Officer and countersigned by polling agents present.
However, in cases where electronic transmission fails due to communication challenges, the signed EC8 form — endorsed by the Presiding Officer and polling agents — will serve as the primary evidence of results.
The Senate’s position differs from that of the House of Representatives, whose version of the Electoral Bill reportedly mandates “real-time transmission” of results.
Election observers and pro-democracy groups have urged the Conference Committee of the National Assembly to adopt the House version, arguing that real-time transmission would further enhance transparency and credibility.
Civil society organisations have welcomed the Senate’s approval as a step forward but insist that stronger safeguards are needed to fully protect the integrity of elections.
They maintain that delays in transmission could still create opportunities for manipulation if real-time provisions are not included.
Advocacy groups, under the #ProtectTheVote campaign, have called on lawmakers to harmonise both versions of the bill in favour of more transparent electoral processes.
They believe that adopting real-time electronic transmission will strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic system ahead of future elections.
