Abuja, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Senate Minority Caucus has clarified that the electronic transmission of election results was not rejected in the recently considered Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, amid growing public debate over the issue.
The clarification follows widespread concerns and criticism suggesting that lawmakers had moved to scrap or weaken provisions allowing the electronic transmission of results — a key reform introduced to enhance transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a statement, the Minority Caucus insisted that reports claiming the Senate voted against e-transmission were misleading. According to the caucus, the amendment process did not abolish electronic transmission but rather sought to address operational and legal ambiguities within the existing framework.
The lawmakers reaffirmed their support for reforms that strengthen the credibility, transparency, and efficiency of elections, stressing that electronic transmission remains an important component of electoral integrity.
The controversy has sparked reactions from civil society groups, opposition parties, and electoral observers, many of whom argue that any perceived rollback of electronic transmission could undermine public confidence in future elections.
Political analysts note that electronic transmission of results became a major issue following the 2023 general elections, with debates centering on compliance, technological reliability, and legal interpretation.
As discussions continue, stakeholders are calling for clarity from the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that electoral reforms do not erode public trust ahead of future polls.
Further legislative deliberations on the Electoral Act amendment are expected in the coming weeks.
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