JUST IN: SENATE AMENDS ELECTORAL ACT, MAKES MANUAL RESULTS PRIMARY IF ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION FAILS

 SENATE AMENDS ELECTORAL ACT, MAKES MANUAL RESULTS PRIMARY IF ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION FAILS


The Senate has amended the Electoral Act to revise provisions governing the transmission and collation of election results, introducing a conditional framework that prioritises manual documentation where electronic processes fail.

The amendment affects Clause 60 of the Electoral Act, which now mandates that the presiding officer at each polling unit must electronically transmit election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s Result Viewing Portal (IREV) immediately after votes are counted.

However, the revised clause provides that where electronic transmission is unsuccessful due to communication or network challenges, the manual result sheet (Form EC8A) shall serve as the primary source document for result collation and verification.

According to the lawmakers, the amendment is intended to address persistent technical challenges experienced during elections, particularly in areas with poor network coverage, while maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

The Senate noted that the provision does not eliminate electronic transmission but rather establishes a legal fallback mechanism to prevent delays, disputes, or the outright exclusion of results from affected polling units.

INEC has repeatedly raised concerns over infrastructure limitations in remote parts of the country, especially during nationwide elections involving thousands of polling units operating simultaneously.

The amendment has already sparked public debate, with supporters arguing that it reflects practical realities on the ground, while critics express concerns about the potential for manipulation associated with manual result handling.

The revised Electoral Act clause is expected to undergo further legislative procedures, including concurrence by the House of Representatives, before transmission to the President for assent.

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