Nigerian Senate Set to Amend Electoral Act for Diaspora Voting, E-transmission of Results
In anticipation of the 2027 elections, the Senate is poised to make significant amendments to the Electoral Act, Excel Magazine International can report.
The primary focus of these amendments is to enable diaspora voting, particularly for presidential elections.
This move is aimed at allowing citizens abroad, including those in essential services such as military, paramilitary, and other security personnel, embassy staff, and other citizens, to exercise their voting rights.
This decision was officially announced in a communiqué issued at the conclusion of a Senate retreat held in Ikot Ikpene, Akwa-Ibom state and seen by Excel Magazine International.
In addition to enabling diaspora voting, the Senate has also resolved to make the electronic transmission of election results mandatory for the upcoming 2027 general elections. This includes the uploading of polling unit-level results and result sheets used at various stages of result collation.
The call for diaspora voting and electronic result transmission has gained momentum following events related to the election that brought President Bola Tinubu into power. Numerous Nigerians, both at home and abroad, have expressed the need for these reforms.
The Senate also acknowledged that restructuring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is necessary to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in preparing and conducting elections.
The communiqué stated, “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.”
