Senate Retains Manual Backup for Election Results in Electoral Act Amendment

The Senate has approved the electronic transmission ofelection results, with manual collation retained as a backup. The resolution followed a tense plenary session in which 15lawmakers opposed the retention of the controversial proviso in Clause 60 ofthe Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026. The red chamber of the National Assembly arrived at thisdecision following a dramatic division on the floor, with 55 senators voting toretain the manual backup clause, while Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC/AbiaSouth) and 14 others stood against it. Recall that the Senate had initially passed the bill butlater rescinded its decision and recommitted it to the Committee of the Wholeafter fresh concerns were raised. The plenary session on Tuesday was dominated by a renewedbattle over Clause 60, which deals with the transmission and collation ofelection results. The session reconvened with Senator Abaribe seeking adivision on the clause, sparking a rowdy debate. It will also be recalled that Abaribe had attempted asimilar move during an emergency plenary last week but later made a U-turn, adevelopment that drew public criticism and internal grumblings within thechamber. Senate President Godswill Akpabio reminded colleagues ofAbaribe’s earlier failed attempt. “People were mocking you on social media,” Akpabio said,noting that the previous demand had been withdrawn. Various opposition senators immediately objected, insistingthat the matter was properly before the chamber.

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