From Victor Osula, Abuja
The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, passed a revision to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, adopting a combined electronic and manual transmission system for election results.
The Senate had, on 10th February, adopted both electronic and manual modes of transmitting election results after a tense and rowdy plenary
However, the amendment on Tuesday specifically rescinded the original Section 60(3), which mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to electronically transmit results from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) in real time, alongside physical collation.
Under the revised clause, presiding officers will now transmit results electronically only after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped, and where available, countersigned by candidates or polling agents at the polling unit. If electronic transmission fails due to communication issues, the signed Form EC8A will remain the primary source for collation and declaration of results.
The development sparked immediate opposition. Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, led lawmakers who staged a walkout of the House chambers, later addressing reporters at the House of Representatives Media Centre. They rejected the revised clause and other amendments, describing them as “anti-people” and undermining efforts to ensure transparency in elections.
The decision comes amid growing debates over the balance between technology-driven electoral reforms and traditional manual safeguards, as Nigeria prepares for upcoming elections. Critics warn that the compromise could slow results reporting and weaken trust in the electoral process, while supporters argue it ensures reliability in areas with limited network coverage.
