Senate retains manual backup for election result transmission

The Nigerian Senate has approved the electronic transmission of election results with manual collation as a backup. The resolution came after a tense plenary session where 55 senators voted to retain Clause 60 of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026, while 15 opposed it. The decision follows a dramatic division on the floor, with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and 14 others voting against the clause. This marks a reversal from the Senate's initial approval of the bill, which was later rescinded and recommitted to committee after public criticism. The session saw renewed debate over the clause, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio reminding colleagues of Abaribe's previous failed attempt to remove the provision. The retention of manual backup aims to ensure election transparency and trust despite electronic transmission implementation.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/02/17/electoral-act-senate-retains-manual-backup-for-result-transmission/