Days after rejecting a proposal to expressly provide for electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Senate has reversed its position, approving a revised clause mandating the electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Results Viewing Portal (IReV).

However, the upper chamber stopped short of endorsing real-time transmission. It ruled that in cases where electronic transmission fails due to network or technical issues, Form EC8A will serve as the primary basis for collation and declaration of results.

The decision followed the adoption of a motion moved by Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Munguno, during an emergency plenary in Abuja.

The reversal comes just days after the Senate, on February 4, 2026, adopted the report of its Committee on Electoral Matters, which retained provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act allowing the “transfer” of results without clearly stating whether such transfer should be electronic or real-time. That move sparked widespread criticism, with civil society groups, opposition parties and election stakeholders accusing lawmakers of attempting to dilute electoral transparency.

In response to mounting public pressure, the Senate leadership reconvened to reconsider the clause. Tensions escalated further when a coalition of civil society organisations and activists, led by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, staged a protest at the National Assembly demanding explicit electronic transmission of results.

During plenary, lawmakers rescinded their earlier decision on Clause 60(3), which addresses the transmission and collation of election results. The amendment was adopted by voice vote after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the revised provision.

The new clause stipulates that presiding officers must electronically transmit results from polling units to INEC’s IReV portal. Where such transmission is unsuccessful, Form EC8A will serve as the primary instrument for collation.

Moving the motion for rescission, Munguno explained that the Senate acted in accordance with its Standing Orders to revisit the clause, noting that further legislative review was necessary to ensure credible and transparent elections.

He said the amendment eliminates ambiguity surrounding the terms “transfer” and “transmission” and strengthens accountability in the electoral process. The motion was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) and passed by majority voice vote, despite brief tension when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe called for a division before withdrawing the request.

In a related development, the Senate expanded its conference committee on the Electoral Bill Amendment to 12 members to align with the House of Representatives, a move aimed at fast-tracking harmonisation. Senator Simon Lalong Bako remains chairman of the committee.

Akpabio urged the committee to conclude its assignment within days to enable transmission of the harmonised bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent before the end of February.

Meanwhile, the Senate also received a request from the President seeking confirmation of Usman Dakingari as a non-career ambassador. The matter was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs for further consideration.