Lawmakers uphold 2022 Electoral Act framework, retaining manual result collation and physical PVC requirement.
Abuja, Nigeria – In a decisive move that shapes the rules for future polls, the Nigerian Senate has rejected key amendments that would have made the electronic transmission of election results compulsory. During Wednesday’s plenary, lawmakers considered the Bill for an Act to Repeal the Electoral Act No. 13, 2022 and Enact the Electoral Act, 2025, choosing ultimately to retain the existing legal framework.
The debate centered on a crucial proposed amendment, a new Clause 60(5), which sought to mandate that presiding officers electronically transmit polling unit results in real-time to INEC’s Results Viewing (IReV) portal immediately after completing the manual result sheet (Form EC8A). This clause was voted down.
By this rejection, the Senate upheld the 2022 process. The current law requires the manual completion, signing, stamping and distribution of result sheets to party agents and security officials. While results are announced at the polling unit, their transfer to collation centers remains “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission” – a formulation that does not enforce compulsory electronic transmission and leaves the method to INEC’s discretion.
In a related decision, senators also rejected the proposed Clause 47. This clause aimed to permit electronically-generated voter identification, such as downloadable voter cards with QR codes, to be used for accreditation. Its rejection means the requirement for a physical Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) remains unchanged.
The Senate affirmed the continued use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) or any other device prescribed by INEC for voter verification at polling units.
This outcome signifies a legislative preference for the status quo, emphasizing manual procedures and physical documentation over mandated digital processes for the nation’s electoral system.
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