Senate Retains INEC’s Discretion in Electoral Act Amendment, Sparks Public Outcry
The Nigerian Senate has rejected a proposed amendment seeking to make the electronic transmission of election results mandatory, a move that has sparked widespread debate over the future of electoral transparency in the country.
The decision was taken during deliberations on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, where lawmakers voted against a clause that would have compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to electronically transmit polling unit results in real time to its Result Viewing Portal (IREV) immediately after the conclusion of voting and collation at polling units.
Instead, the Senate resolved to retain the existing provision of the Electoral Act, which allows INEC to transmit election results “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission,” thereby granting the electoral body discretionary powers over the mode and timing of result transmission.
Supporters of the rejected amendment had argued that mandatory electronic transmission would enhance transparency, reduce manipulation of results at collation centres, and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly in light of controversies that trailed previous general elections.
However, Senate leaders clarified that electronic transmission of results was not completely rejected, stressing that the chamber only opposed making it compulsory under the law. According to the lawmakers, INEC retains the authority to deploy electronic transmission where it deems it practical and feasible.
The Senate’s decision has attracted criticism from opposition parties, civil society groups, and election observers, who describe the move as a setback to democratic reforms. Critics warn that leaving electronic transmission optional could undermine accountability and weaken efforts to ensure credible elections.
The development is also expected to trigger further legislative engagement, as the House of Representatives is yet to harmonise its own version of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill with that of the Senate before the legislation is transmitted to the President for assent.
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