Senate Mulls Mandatory E-Transmission Of Election Results

The Nigerian Senate has disclosed plans to amend the Electoral Act to allow certain changes ahead of the 2027 general election.

The Red Chamber, in a communiqué issued at the end of its retreat in Ikot Ikpene, Akwa-Ibom State, said the amendment would allow Nigerians in diaspora to vote, at least in the presidential polls.

The Senate also revealed that along with that, the amendment would also mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to electronically transmit results from 2027, including the uploading of polling unit-level results and result sheets used at different levels of result collation.

This development follows a lot of controversies that surrounded INEC’s inability to electronically transmit the results of the last general election. Sequel to this, Nigerians have called for the electronic transmission of results from the BVAS machine in subsequent elections.

The communiqué stated, “Relating to the use of technology in elections, remove the ambiguity evident in Section 64 of the EA22. Also, make electronic transmission of results mandatory from the next general elections in 2027, including the uploading of polling unit-level results and result sheets used at different levels of result collation.

“Introduce diaspora voting, at least for presidential elections, to enable citizens to vote, especially those on essential service abroad, such as military, paramilitary, and other security personnel abroad, Embassy staff, and other citizens.

“Relating to political parties, stipulate sanctions for failure to submit the register of party members not later than 30 days before the date of party primaries, congresses, or conventions in relation to Section 77(3) EA22, which the political parties have observed in the breach in the 2023 elections without penalty.”