The Senate has revised the Electoral Act to allow the electronic transmission of election results, while retaining safeguards to address possible technical failures during elections.

The decision came after the upper chamber, on Tuesday, reversed its earlier stance that had rejected compulsory electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IREV).

Under the amended provision, the Senate approved electronic transmission as part of the electoral process, removing the requirement for real-time transmission.

Lawmakers, however, agreed that where internet connectivity is unavailable, Form EC8A will serve as the recognised instrument for result collation.

The amendment establishes electronic transmission as the preferred method for uploading results, but provides a contingency mechanism in cases of network failure or other technical challenges. In such situations, results may be manually transmitted using Form EC8A, provided it is duly signed and stamped by the presiding officer.

The proposal generated debate within the chamber, with some senators expressing concern over the continued reliance on Form EC8A, particularly in situations where disputes arise over election outcomes.

The disagreement triggered sharp divisions on the Senate floor, leading Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe to initially demand a vote by individual lawmakers to clearly ascertain their positions on the amendment.

He, however, withdrew the request moments later, allowing deliberations on the revised provision to proceed without a roll-call vote.

Source; PM News