Nigerian Senate Upholds Manual Election Result Transmission
The Nigerian Senate has made a significant decision regarding electoral reforms by rejecting the proposal for real-time electronic transmission of election results. This development occurred during the clause-by-clause consideration of amendments to the Electoral Act, marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria's electoral process evolution.
Key Decisions on Electoral Transmission
While the Senate retained the existing provision in Clause 60 of the 2022 Electoral Act that allows the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prescribe the manner of result transmission, they specifically voted against implementing real-time electronic transmission from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. This decision maintains the current system where election officials physically transport results from polling stations to collation centers before any electronic transmission occurs.
Voter Accreditation Method Preserved
In another crucial decision, the lawmakers upheld the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as the exclusive means of voter accreditation. The Senate rejected proposals in Clause 47 that would have introduced electronic or alternative identification methods at polling units. This maintains the status quo in Nigeria's voter verification process, ensuring continuity with existing electoral procedures.
Direct Primaries Endorsement
The Senate demonstrated support for political party internal democracy by voting in Clause 86 to mandate direct primaries for candidate selection. This provision requires political parties to conduct their primaries in accordance with their constitutions and established guidelines, potentially increasing grassroots participation in the nomination process.
Implications for Nigeria's Electoral System
These decisions collectively represent a cautious approach to electoral technology adoption in Nigeria. While maintaining some technological elements through INEC's discretionary powers, the Senate has opted for continuity in key areas of result transmission and voter accreditation. The retention of manual processes in critical electoral stages reflects ongoing debates about technology infrastructure, security concerns, and the reliability of electronic systems across Nigeria's diverse geographical landscape.
The Senate's deliberations highlight the complex balance between technological advancement and practical implementation challenges in Nigeria's electoral system. These decisions will significantly influence how future elections are conducted and monitored across the country's 36 states and Federal Capital Territory.
