*Approves Stiffer Penalties For Vote-buying
THE Senate, on Wednesday, February 4, rejected a proposal to make the electronic transmission of election results compulsory.
While passing the Electoral Bill 2026, after hours of debate, it approved significant reforms to election timelines, penalties for electoral offences and voting technology.
On Section 60, which concerns the transmission of polling unit results, senators voted down a recommendation by the Committee on Electoral Matters that would have compelled presiding officers to upload results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) IREV portal in real time.
Instead, they retained the 2022 Electoral Act approach, which allows electronic transmission after votes are counted and publicly announced at the polling unit.
Under the 2022 Act, presiding officers are required to count votes at the polling unit; record results on prescribed forms; announce them publicly; and transmit them electronically to the appropriate collation centre, with copies provided to polling agents and security personnel, where available.
Violators face fines up to N500,000 or a minimum of six months’ imprisonment.
Lawmakers who opposed the real-time upload argued that inconsistent network coverage and logistical challenges could trigger legal disputes and undermine electoral credibility.
The Green Chamber also approved amendments to the electoral calendar, with election notice period reduced from 360 days to 180 days; deadline for submission of party candidate lists from 120 to 90 days; and nomination period from 180 to 90 days.
To further curb electoral malpractice and ensure credible elections, the senate, while rejecting a proposal for a 10-year ban on vote-buyers, opting for stiffer financial penalties by increasing the fine for unlawful possession of voters’ cards from N500,000 to N5million.
The smart card reader was officially removed from the electoral framework and replaced with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Other amendments clarified the consequences of candidate disqualification, including provisions that parties cannot replace disqualified candidates after an election and fresh polls must be conducted if necessary.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the session, dismissed claims that electronic transmission had been totally removed, insistng: “Retaining that provision means electronic transmission remains part of our law.
“Distinguished colleagues, the social media is already awash with reports that the senate has rejected electronic transmission of results. That is not true.
“What we did was to retain the electronic transmission, which has been in the Act and was used in 2022. So, please do not allow people to confuse you.
“This senate under my watch has not rejected the electronic transmission of results; we have retained what was in the previous provision by way of amendment.
“The previous provision already made allowance for electronic transmission, so it is still part of our law. We cannot afford to be going backwards.
“If you are in doubt, we will make our final votes and proceedings available to you. Please don’t go with the crowd.”
He commended his colleagues for remaining in session long after normal hours, saying the prolonged deliberations reflected a shared commitment to strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
Chairman of the Media and Public Affairs Committee, Adeyemi Adaramodu, explained: “Electronic transmission remains part of the law and results will continue to be available to the public, both electronically and through physical forms, ensuring verifiable records for disputes.”
Akpabio later announced a conference committee to harmonise the Senate and House of Representatives versions of the Bill to enable the National Assembly transmit a final version to the President for assent.
The committee is chaired by Simon Lalong, with Adamu Aliero, Orji Uzor Kalu, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Aminu Iya Abbas, Tokunbo Abiru and Adeniyi Adegbomire as members.
Under the 2022 Act, electronic transmission is not expressly compulsory, as Section 60 only provides that results shall be transferred “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission,” giving INEC the power to determine whether, when and how technology, such as BVAS and the IReV portal, is used.
It was on this basis that the Commission uploaded polling unit results electronically during the 2023 general elections, even though the law itself did not impose a strict obligation for real-time transmission.
The rejected amendment had sought to compel presiding officers to upload results immediately and electronically, which many believe would ensure transparency and curb manipulation.
