INEC Receives Legislative Nod To Transmit Election Results Electronically

The Senate on Tuesday 9,  resumed plenary after three weeks break, bowed to pressure from Nigerians, and passed the Electoral Acts into law giving INEC the exclusive power to determine the mode of transmission of election results.

Under Clause 52 (2) of the Electoral Act as amended, the legislators consented that “voting at an election and transmission of results under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission, which may include electronic voting.”

Earlier on, the Senate had set up a committee to check and see that the bill passes by both chambers of the National Assembly agree.

The Electoral Act Amendment Bill has generated debates and oppositions from Nigerians when the National Assembly first gave part of the powers to determine the electronic transmission of votes to the National Communications Commission (NCC)

The INEC has deployed the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) technology to capture voters and transmit results via electronic means in the just concluded Anambra State gubernatorial election.

Though the adoption of BVAS for the election has not been hitch-free. However, some successes were recorded. Analysts have advised the electoral umpire to work more on its technology and unveil a better version during the 2023 general elections.