Senate Explains Removal of “Real-Time” from 2026 Electoral Bill

 

The Senate has clarified why the “real-time” transmission clause was removed from the 2026 Electoral Bill, citing Nigeria’s infrastructural limitations as the key factor.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti State, stated this in a press release issued by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Sunday.

Bamidele explained that Clause 60(3) of the bill initially mandated presiding officers to electronically transmit results from each polling unit to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in real time. However, the Senate later redrafted the clause to retain electronic transmission while removing the “real-time” requirement.

He described the original provision as “an initiative any legislature or parliament globally would ordinarily welcome,” but stressed that the decision to amend it was informed by Nigeria’s infrastructural realities.

According to the lawmaker, broadband coverage in Nigeria stood at about 70 percent in 2025, while internet penetration was 44.53 percent. He cited the Speedtest Global Index, which ranked Nigeria 85th out of 105 countries for mobile network reliability and 129th out of 150 countries for fixed broadband performance.

“Mobile network reliability in Nigeria averages 44.14 megabits per second, far below countries like UAE (691.76 Mbps), Qatar (573.53 Mbps), Kuwait (415.67 Mbps), and Bahrain (303.21 Mbps). For fixed broadband, Nigeria ranks 129th globally at 33.32 Mbps, compared to Singapore’s 410.06 Mbps and UAE’s 382.35 Mbps,” he noted.

Bamidele also highlighted that about 85 million Nigerians, or roughly 43 percent of the population, lack access to grid electricity. “Despite a generation capacity of 12,000–13,500 megawatts, distribution can only deliver 4,500 megawatts to households nationwide,” he said. He expressed optimism that the Electricity Act, 2025, would improve the power sector this year.

He warned that insisting on real-time transmission under current conditions could destabilize the electoral process. “The data speak to the stark realities of our federation, not emotion or sentiment. As representatives of the people, we cannot legislate purely on public sentiment,” Bamidele said.

The Senate, according to him, removed the “real-time” requirement to ensure the electoral framework aligns with Nigeria’s current capabilities while still enhancing transparency.