The Senate has approved the repeal and re-enactment of the 2022 Electoral Act following extensive clause-by-clause consideration and a formal division on Clause 60, which addresses the transmission of election results.
The most contentious issue during deliberations centered on the method of transmitting results from polling units. Clause 60, which relates to electronic transmission, was subjected to a vote after disagreement among lawmakers. In the final count, 55 senators voted to retain provisions that allow manual transmission of results in the event of network failure. The decision came despite opposition from some members who argued for stricter safeguards around electronic processes.
Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the session, supervised the proceedings as lawmakers debated amendments aimed at strengthening legal clarity and operational readiness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Beyond Clause 60, discussions also addressed election timelines, identified legal inconsistencies within the existing framework, and examined areas requiring alignment with technological realities and judicial precedents. Several senators emphasized the need to balance technological innovation with practical contingencies, especially in areas with limited network coverage.
The re-enactment is intended to refine procedural ambiguities observed during previous elections while preparing the Independent National Electoral Commission for a more structured and legally coherent framework ahead of the next national polls.
With the bill now passed by the Senate, attention will shift to subsequent legislative processes and implementation measures designed to ensure that electoral administration remains both credible and operationally resilient in 2027.
