Electoral Act: Senate retains manual backup for result transmission

The Senate has approved the electronic transmission of election results, with manual collation retained as a backup.

The resolution followed a tense plenary session in which 15 lawmakers opposed the retention of the controversial proviso in Clause 60 of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026.

The red chamber of the National Assembly arrived at this decision following a dramatic division on the floor, with 55 senators voting to retain the manual backup clause, while Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC/Abia South) and 14 others stood against it.

Recall that the Senate had initially passed the bill but later rescinded its decision and recommitted it to the Committee of the Whole after fresh concerns were raised.

The plenary session on Tuesday was dominated by a renewed battle over Clause 60, which deals with the transmission and collation of election results.

The session reconvened with Senator Abaribe seeking a division on the clause, sparking a rowdy debate.

It will also be recalled that Abaribe had attempted a similar move during an emergency plenary last week but later made a U-turn, a development that drew public criticism and internal grumblings within the chamber.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio reminded colleagues of Abaribe’s earlier failed attempt.

“People were mocking you on social media,” Akpabio said, noting that the previous demand had been withdrawn.

Various opposition senators immediately objected, insisting that the matter was properly before the chamber.