Breaking:Senate Approves Electronic Transmission of Polling Unit Results, Retains Form EC8A as Backup
The Senate has approved a proposal permitting the electronic transmission of election results from polling units, marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The decision followed a motion moved by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno, who sought to rescind the chamber’s earlier rejection of real-time electronic transmission of results. Last Wednesday, the Senate had retained provisions of the Electoral Act, 2023, which effectively restricted the electronic transmission of polling unit results.
With the adoption of the new proposal, the Senate passed an amended Clause 60(3), allowing the presiding officer at each polling unit to electronically transmit election results after Form EC8A has been duly completed and signed.
Under the approved amendment, electronic transmission of results is permitted where the technology is available and functional. However, in cases where electronic transmission fails or is not feasible, the duly completed and signed Form EC8A will serve as the primary and authoritative record of the polling unit results.
The passage of the amended clause generated debate on the Senate floor. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe initially called for a division on the matter but later withdrew the request, allowing the chamber to proceed with the approval.
The development is seen as a step toward strengthening transparency and credibility in Nigeria’s electoral system while retaining safeguards against technical failures.