The House of Representatives on Tuesday reversed its earlier decision on Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act amendment, adopting the version passed by the Senate that allows both electronic and manual transmission of election results.
The emergency approval came amid protests from opposition lawmakers, who staged a walkout from the chamber, chanting “APC, ole! APC, ole!” in objection to the handling of the bill.
Previously, the House had approved a version of Clause 60(3) mandating that “The Presiding Officer shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to the IREV portal, and such transmission shall be done after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the Presiding Officer and/or countersigned by the candidates or polling agents where available at the polling unit.” This version effectively prioritized electronic transmission as the primary method for result collation.
During the emergency session on Tuesday, lawmakers approved the Senate’s version, which introduces a contingency for transmission failures. Under the revised clause:
“The Presiding Officer shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to the IREV portal, and such transmission shall be done after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the Presiding Officer and/or countersigned by the candidates or polling agents where available at the polling unit.
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“Provided that if the electronic transmission of the result fails as a result of communication failure and it becomes impossible to transmit the result contained in Form EC8A, the form EC8A shall remain the primary source of collation and declaration of the result.”
The change ensures that manual documentation at polling units remains legally binding in the event of technical or communication failures during electronic transmission.
The walkout by opposition lawmakers highlighted ongoing tensions over the perceived influence of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the legislative process. Lawmakers expressed concern that prioritizing electronic transmission could undermine transparency in some constituencies, especially in areas with poor network coverage.
Supporters of the revision argue that including a manual backup strengthens the integrity of the electoral process, ensuring results are verifiable even in the event of system failures.
Analysts say the amendment reflects a compromise between adopting modern technology and safeguarding traditional collation methods.
The adoption of the Senate’s version of Clause 60(3) now reconciles the House and Senate positions, paving the way for the bill’s further legislative progress.
Observers note that the clause will play a critical role in the management of elections, especially as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues to expand the use of its IREV portal for real-time result transmission.