The Senate has reaffirmed its support for the electronic transmission of election results while approving a manual backup mechanism in cases of technical failure.
At its plenary sitting on Wednesday, February 4, the upper chamber amended the Votes and Proceedings of the previous week to clarify its resolution on Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. The amendment followed a motion moved by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, and subsequently endorsed by the Senate.
Under the revised resolution, election results are to be transmitted electronically from polling units. However, where a communication glitch prevents successful electronic transmission, the Senate agreed that Form EC8 — the official polling unit result sheet — shall serve as the primary source for collation. The form must be duly completed, stamped, and signed by the presiding election officer and countersigned by party agents.
Following the adoption of the motion, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe moved a counter-motion calling for a division, which would have required individual voting on the contentious Section 60(3). The move, however, was short-lived, as Senator Abaribe withdrew the motion after Senate President Godswill Akpabio invited him to proceed with it.
The decision underscores the Senate’s attempt to balance the push for technology-driven electoral reforms with safeguards against technical disruptions on election day.
