Tajudeen-Abbas, House of Reps speaker.webp
The Digest:

The House of Representatives has passed a crucial amendment to the Electoral Act, making the real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory. The new clause requires presiding officers to electronically transmit signed results directly to INEC's IReV portal from the polling unit, aiming to enhance transparency and public trust in the electoral process.

Key Points:
  • The amendment mandates real-time transmission of results to the IReV portal after signing.
  • This addresses a key gap in the existing law, which did not make e-transmission compulsory.
  • INEC's IReV portal faced criticism for delays and inactivity during the last general elections.
  • The amendment also introduces a five-year jail term for presiding officers who declare false results.
  • BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) is now legally designated the primary accreditation tool.
  • The law includes provisions for election cancellation and rescheduling if BVAS fails and is not replaced.
  • The House will reconvene to continue reviewing over 70 clauses of the amendment bill.
This legislative step moves the nation's electoral integrity from a promise to a binding mandate, seeking to lock transparency into the very moment results are born.

Sources: The Cable, Daily Trust