By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, with additional report
The Senate on Wednesday formally shut the door on mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results with the passage of the Electoral Bill 2026, rejecting proposals that would have compelled instant upload of polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal.
Instead, lawmakers retained the existing provision in the 2022 Electoral Act, which allows results to be transmitted electronically only in the manner and at the time prescribed by INEC, after votes have been counted and publicly announced at the polling unit.
At the centre of the debate was Section 60 of the bill.
A recommendation by the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters to enforce real-time upload of results immediately after signing of result sheets was defeated on the floor of the chamber.
Under the retained clause, presiding officers are required to count votes, record them on official forms, announce the outcome publicly and transmit the results electronically to the appropriate collation centre as directed by the Commission.
Copies of result forms are to be given to polling agents and security officials, where available.
Any presiding officer who wilfully violates the provision risks a fine of up to N500,000 or a minimum of six months’ imprisonment.
Opponents of the real-time proposal argued that poor network coverage in many parts of the country could make strict instant upload unrealistic and expose elections to avoidable litigation.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, said the controversy was not about rejecting technology.
“We did not remove electronic transmission. What we rejected was the insistence on real-time upload. Results will still be transmitted electronically and made public,” he said.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also dismissed claims that the Senate had weakened transparency in the electoral process.
“That is not correct. Retaining the 2022 provision means electronic transmission remains part of our law,” he said.
“Both electronic and physical records will continue to serve as evidence in election disputes.”
*BVAS entrenched as sole accreditation device, voter card offence fine raised to N5m
Beyond the issue of results upload, the Senate approved sweeping changes to the electoral timetable.
The election notice period was reduced from 360 days to 180 days before the end of an administration’s tenure, while the deadlines for party primaries and candidate submissions were shortened to 90 days.
The bill also formally removed the smart card reader from Nigeria’s electoral framework and entrenched the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as the sole accreditation device nationwide.
In a move aimed at deterring malpractice, lawmakers increased the fine for unlawful possession of voter cards from N500,000 to N5 million.
However, they rejected a proposal for a 10-year political ban on individuals convicted of vote buying, opting instead for harsher financial penalties.
Other amendments clarified the consequences of candidate disqualification, barring political parties from replacing candidates disqualified after elections and mandating fresh polls in such cases.
Akpabio announced the constitution of a conference committee to harmonise the Senate’s version of the bill with that passed by the House of Representatives before transmission to the President for assent.
“Our task is to deliver an electoral law that reflects our realities and strengthens confidence in the democratic process,” he said.
With the Senate’s decision, mandatory live upload of polling unit results is now effectively dead, leaving Nigeria’s electoral system reliant on post-announcement electronic transmission controlled by INEC.
*INEC urges quick passage of Electoral Act amendment
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday renewed its call on the National Assembly (NASS) to urgently conclude work on the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act, warning that further delays could have profound implications for preparations for the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, appealed during the Commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with civil society organisations (CSOs) in Abuja, disclosing that although INEC had internally completed its election timetable, it was deliberately withholding its public release due to proposed legal changes that could alter key timelines.
According to Amupitan, the uncertainty surrounding the amendment has placed the Commission in a difficult position, as it must balance public expectations with strict constitutional and legal requirements.
“Section 28 of the Electoral Act empowers us to issue a notice of election not later than 360 days before the polls. We already have our timetable ready, but some of the proposed amendments will directly affect it,” he said.
He explained that INEC was reluctant to release a timetable that might soon become obsolete if the law is altered, stressing that premature action could create confusion for political parties, candidates and voters alike.
“We are mindful of the growing public anticipation. But the timetable and schedule of activities will only be released in full compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act. That is why we are urging the National Assembly to expedite action,” Amupitan added.
The INEC boss noted that the Commission had already submitted its recommendations to lawmakers and was only waiting for the legislative process to be concluded.
“We have hesitated a little because the proposed amendments will affect the timetable. But if the process is delayed any further, we may have no option but to go ahead using the extant laws,” he warned.
Beyond the 2027 elections, Amupitan said legal clarity was also crucial for INEC’s ongoing reforms, including the clean-up of the national voter register and the management of political party registrations, all of which depend on a stable and predictable legal framework.
*CSOs warn delay could disrupt election timetable, voter confidence
From the civil society perspective, advocacy groups echoed INEC’s concerns and cautioned that prolonged legislative delays could weaken public confidence in the electoral process.
Speaking on behalf of the CSOs, Mrs Grace Jerry said the uncertainty created by the unresolved amendment was already raising concerns among stakeholders committed to democratic reforms.
“Already, we are worried about how this delay will affect INEC’s planning. That is why we are calling on all hands to be on deck,” she said.
Jerry stressed that electoral credibility depends not only on technology and logistics, but also on a clear, settled legal foundation established well before elections.
“Whoever needs to be called upon, whatever actions need to be taken, must be done quickly. We have serious concerns about the 2027 elections if this process is not concluded early,” she added.
She pledged the continued support of civil society groups in mobilising voters, monitoring political parties and promoting peaceful campaigns, but insisted that lawmakers must play their part by ensuring timely reforms.
“Citizens must feel that their votes will count. But that confidence begins with having the right laws in place,” Jerry said.
Both INEC and the CSOs agreed that without swift action by the National Assembly, the Commission could be forced to operate under outdated legal provisions, a situation they warned could undermine transparency, disrupt election planning and ultimately weaken trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
