In a significant move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral transparency and credibility, the Senate has approved the electronic transmission of election results directly to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV). At the same time, lawmakers agreed that manual collation of results will remain in place as a backup option in situations where technology fails.
The decision came after the Senate revisited and reconsidered a previously disputed clause in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill during an emergency plenary session held on Tuesday.
This development marks a major step forward in Nigeria’s electoral reform process, as electronic transmission of results has long been a subject of debate among lawmakers, civil society groups, political parties, and election observers.
Electronic transmission of election results is widely regarded as a key mechanism for improving transparency, reducing manipulation, and boosting public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process. By sending results directly from polling units to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal, the system minimizes human interference and limits opportunities for result tampering during the collation process.
With this approval, INEC is now empowered to rely on digital technology for faster, more transparent, and more credible reporting of election outcomes.
While endorsing electronic transmission, the Senate also acknowledged the realities of technological limitations across the country, especially in rural and remote areas where internet connectivity may be unreliable.
To address this, lawmakers agreed that manual collation of results will serve as a fallback option whenever electronic transmission encounters technical challenges. This dual approach ensures that elections are not disrupted due to network failures, device malfunctions, or power issues.
The inclusion of manual backup is seen as a pragmatic compromise that balances innovation with operational reliability.
This decision is expected to significantly influence how future elections are conducted in Nigeria. Stakeholders believe the move will: Improve public confidence in election results, reduce post-election disputes and litigation, enhance transparency and accountability, Strengthen INEC’s capacity to deliver credible elections
Observers also note that the Senate’s action reflects lessons learned from previous elections where controversies over result transmission created tensions and allegations of manipulation.
The Senate’s approval signals a commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s electoral system in line with global best practices. As the country continues to refine its democratic institutions, the integration of technology into the voting and collation process is viewed as a necessary step toward credible governance.
With the Electoral Act Amendment Bill progressing, attention now shifts to implementation, as INEC prepares to deploy systems capable of handling nationwide electronic result transmission while maintaining reliable backup procedures.
This balanced approach could redefine the conduct of elections in Nigeria and set a new standard for transparency in Africa’s largest democracy.
