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Ahead of the 2027 General Election, the Nigerian Senate has agreed to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make electronic transmission of election results mandatory.
The amendment, according to the Senate, will include mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload polling unit-level results and result sheets used at different levels of result collation.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the amendment will also create room to allow for diaspora voting, at least for presidential elections, to enable citizens, especially those on essential service abroad, to vote.
These are part of resolutions reached at the end of a two-day retreat organised by the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILDS) for Senators in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
A communiqué issued on Saturday at the end of the retreat noted that it was necessary to unbundle INEC to improve its efficiency and effectiveness in the preparation and conduct of elections.
“Relating to the use of technology in elections, remove the ambiguity evident in Section 64 of the EA22.
“Also, make electronic transmission of results mandatory from the next general elections in 2027, including the uploading of polling unit-level results and result sheets used at different levels of result collation.
“Introduce diaspora voting, at least for presidential elections, to enable citizens to vote, especially those on essential service abroad, such as military, paramilitary, and other security personnel abroad, Embassy staff, and other citizens.
“Relating to political parties; stipulate sanctions for failure to submit the register of party members not later than 30 days before the date of party primaries, congresses, or conventions in relation to Section 77(3) EA22, which the political parties have observed in the breach in the 2023 elections without penalty,” the communiqué reads in part.
This is coming after INEC affirmed that results for Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi governorship elections will be uploaded on its Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
TNG reports Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun represented President Bola Tinubu at the retreat.