Reps Move to Seal Poll Credibility, Mandate Real-Time Electronic Transmission of Results

 

In a major step aimed at strengthening the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process, the House of Representatives on Wednesday approved amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, making the real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory.

The decision followed the clause-by-clause consideration of a report seeking to amend the extant electoral law, adopted during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Under the approved amendment, presiding officers at polling units are now required to electronically transmit election results directly to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing (IReV) portal in real time.

The clause provides that such transmission must be carried out only after the prescribed result form, EC8A, has been duly completed, signed and stamped by the presiding officer and, where available, countersigned by candidates or their polling unit agents.

Until now, the Electoral Act did not expressly compel INEC to transmit results electronically in real time, despite assurances by the commission ahead of the last general elections. The failure of the IReV portal to function optimally in some polling units after voting had been concluded had triggered widespread public concern and suspicion, sparking renewed calls for legislative intervention.

In response, several civil society organisations had consistently urged the National Assembly to amend the law to make electronic transmission of results compulsory.

Stiffer Sanctions, BVAS Retained

In addition to the electronic transmission provision, lawmakers also approved tougher penalties for electoral malpractice. A new clause introduces a five-year jail term for any presiding officer found guilty of declaring false election results.

The House further ratified amendments reinforcing the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as the primary tool for accrediting voters.

According to the approved provision, a presiding officer “shall use a bimodal voter accreditation system or any other technological device that may be prescribed by the commission for the accreditation of voters to verify, confirm or authenticate the particulars of the intending voter.”

The amendment also stipulates that where the BVAS or any approved technological device fails to function and no replacement is provided, the election in that polling unit shall be cancelled. A fresh poll must then be conducted within 24 hours, provided INEC is satisfied that the outcome of the affected unit could substantially influence the final result and declaration of a winner.

After deliberating on over 70 clauses in the amendment bill, the House adjourned plenary to Thursday to continue consideration of the report.

The latest amendments are widely seen as part of efforts by the lawmakers to close loopholes in the electoral system and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.