By Samuel Akpan
The House of Representatives has approved a proposal mandating the real-time electronic transmission of election results, marking a significant amendment to the Electoral Act 2022.
The resolution was adopted on Wednesday during the clause-by-clause consideration of a report seeking to amend the electoral law.
Under the approved provision, “the presiding officer shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal in real time, after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the presiding officer and countersigned by candidates or polling unit agents, where available.”
The current Electoral Act does not make real-time electronic transmission of results mandatory.
Ahead of the last general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had pledged that results would be uploaded to the IREV portal in real time as part of measures to strengthen electoral transparency. However, delays and prolonged inactivity of the portal at several polling units after voting ended raised public suspicion and undermined confidence in the process.
In response, several civil society organisations have consistently urged the National Assembly to amend the law to make electronic transmission of results compulsory.
In addition, lawmakers approved a provision imposing a five-year jail term on presiding officers found guilty of declaring false election results.
The House also ratified an amendment establishing the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as the primary tool for voter accreditation. The clause provides that:
“To vote, the presiding officer shall use a bimodal voter accreditation system or any other technological device prescribed by the commission to verify, confirm or authenticate the particulars of the intending voter.”
It further states that where the BVAS or any approved technological device fails and is not replaced, the election in that polling unit shall be cancelled. A fresh poll must then be conducted within 24 hours, provided the commission determines that the outcome would substantially affect the final result and declaration of a winner.
After considering more than 70 clauses, the House adjourned plenary, with lawmakers scheduled to reconvene on Thursday to continue deliberations on the report.
