BREAKING: Senate modifies clause 60, makes IREV upload compulsory at Polling Units

The Senate has amended the Electoral Act, introducing key modifications to Clause 60 to strengthen the framework for the transmission and collation of election results.

Under the amended provision, presiding officers at each polling unit are now mandated to electronically transmit election results directly to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IREV).

However, the amendment also provides a fallback mechanism in situations where electronic transmission is disrupted by communication or network challenges. In such cases, the manual result sheet, Form EC8A, will serve as the primary document for result collation.

The development follows weeks of intense debate within the National Assembly and across the country over the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Supporters of the amendment argue that mandatory electronic transmission enhances transparency and reduces the risk of manipulation, while the inclusion of a manual alternative is intended to address logistical realities in areas with poor network coverage or security concerns.

INEC is expected to issue further guidelines on the operationalisation of the amended clause to ensure uniform application across polling units nationwide.

The amendment forms part of broader efforts by the legislature to refine the Electoral Act in response to evolving technological, infrastructural, and security challenges in Nigeria’s democratic process.

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