February 4, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters
ABUJA, Nigeria — In a controversial legislative decision raising questions about electoral transparency and future reforms, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Wednesday voted against a proposed bill that would have made electronic transmission of election results from polling units to collation centres mandatory.
The bill introduced as part of broader efforts to strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process sought to require the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy digital technologies that automatically send results from polling units directly to state and national collation centres in real time. Proponents of the proposal argued that such a system would reduce the incidence of result manipulation, discrepancies, and delays that have marred past elections.
However, during deliberations on the Senate floor, a majority of lawmakers voted against making the electronic transmission requirement mandatory in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, asserting that current technological and infrastructural limitations could hinder implementation nationwide. Senators who opposed the measure expressed concerns about network coverage in remote areas, the potential for system failures, and the reliability of available digital infrastructure particularly in rural and underserved regions of the country.
Supporters of the bill including members of the opposition and civil society advocates described the Senate’s rejection as a setback for electoral reform. They warned that the decision could perpetuate longstanding vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s voting system, including slow result collation and the risk of manual interference. For years, election observers and stakeholders have highlighted the potential of electronic results transmission to enhance transparency, build public confidence, and reduce allegations of rigging.
During debate, Senator Uche Ekwunife (PDP, Anambra Central) argued that digital transmission technology is now standard practice in several democracies and urged colleagues not to categorise infrastructural challenges as insurmountable. Ekwunife also suggested that mobile technology already widespread in Nigeria could be leveraged to support robust results transmission with appropriate safeguards.
On the opposing side, Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) stated that the focus should first be on ensuring independent power supply, secure network connectivity, and comprehensive training for electoral officials before mandating technological provisions that might fail under real-world election conditions. Critics of the Senate’s stance, however, countered that such challenges could have been addressed through phased implementation and targeted investment.
The outcome reflects ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s political class over the pace and direction of electoral reform. While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has piloted forms of results transmission in recent election cycles, including uploading scanned result sheets and SMS-based reporting systems, these measures have not fully replaced manual transmission or eliminated disputes over result integrity.
Civil society and youth organisations reacted sharply to the Senate’s decision, with some staging protests outside the National Assembly and launching online campaigns calling for renewed efforts to modernise the electoral process. Groups such as Enough is Enough Nigeria and the Youth Coalition for Electoral Reform argued that rejecting the electronic transmission mandate undermines citizen trust and could weaken Nigeria’s democratic credentials ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In its official statement following the vote, the Senate emphasised that its decision does not preclude the adoption of technology in elections, but rather reflects a preference for gradual integration that accounts for Nigeria’s infrastructural realities. The statement also reiterated support for continued collaboration between legislators, INEC, and relevant stakeholders to improve electoral processes.
Analysts say the debate over electronic results transmission is likely to resurface as the countdown to 2027 intensifies, particularly as citizens and advocacy groups push for reforms they believe will enhance transparency and confidence in electoral outcomes. Observers emphasise that Nigeria’s democratic evolution will hinge on finding balanced approaches that marry technological innovation with practical implementation strategies.