Southern Senators Reject Real-Time Election Result Transmission Proposal Ahead of 2027 Elections

In a recent development, three southern senators reportedly intervened to reject a proposal for real-time electronic transmission of election results as part of the Electoral Act 2022 amendment bill. The rejected clause, 60(3), sought to compel the President's office and INEC to upload poll unit results to a real-time viewing portal.

Despite earlier approval during a close session, the clause was altered last minute, leading to the rejection of the amendment. The Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Godswil Akpabio, faced pressure to retain the existing law allowing for the public announcement of results at poll units instead of real-time transmission.

Following widespread criticism, the Senate was forced to reconvene for an emergency session on February 10, 2026, after adjourning till February 24. The emergency session was scheduled to address the rejected proposal for real-time electronic transmission of election results.