The House of Representatives has approved a proposal requiring the real-time transmission of election results.
The resolution was passed on Wednesday during a clause-by-clause review of a report seeking amendments to the Electoral Act 2022. The new provision mandates that presiding officers electronically transmit results from each polling unit to the IReV portal in real time, once Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the officer and, where available, countersigned by candidates or polling unit agents.
Currently, the law does not require the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results in real time. Ahead of the last general elections, INEC had pledged to provide real-time updates, but the IReV portal—introduced to enhance electoral transparency—remained inactive for long periods, raising suspicions among voters.
The push for mandatory electronic transmission gained traction after civil society organisations repeatedly called on the National Assembly to ensure that results are sent in real time.
**Other Key Amendments**
Lawmakers also approved a provision introducing a five-year jail term for presiding officers found guilty of declaring false results. Additionally, the House endorsed a clause making the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) the primary tool for voter verification.
Under the amendment, presiding officers must use the BVAS or any other technological device prescribed by INEC to verify and authenticate voters’ details. If the BVAS or other device fails at any polling unit and a replacement is not provided, the election in that unit must be cancelled and rescheduled within 24 hours—provided INEC determines the results from that unit could significantly affect the overall outcome in the constituency.
After reviewing more than 70 clauses, the House adjourned and is set to resume on Thursday to continue its examination of the report.
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