Senate President has described the newly signed Electoral Act as a bold and historic step toward strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system, insisting that lawmakers acted in the national interest despite pressure and controversy.
Akpabio spoke at the State House shortly after President assented to the bill, noting that the legislation was the outcome of extensive deliberations and careful consideration of Nigeria’s unique political realities.
According to him, the resisted undue interference while drafting the law and focused on what he called the “intentions and yearnings of the majority of Nigerians.”
“We were not swayed by noise. Noise is different from lawmaking,” Akpabio said, adding that lawmakers chose patriotism over pressure from vested interests.
Electronic Transmission of Results Gets Legal Backing
A major highlight of the amended law, the Senate President said, is the formal recognition of electronic transmission of election results.
Under the new Act, results transmitted electronically from polling units will be backed by law and verifiable through the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System Result Viewing Portal (IReV) operated by .
Akpabio explained that results would appear on the IReV portal once internet connectivity is restored, even in areas with poor network coverage, making it easier for citizens and observers to detect any tampering as results move from polling units to collation centres.
He described the development as historic, stressing that this marks the first time since Nigeria’s independence in 1960 that electronic transmission of results has been clearly recognised in law.
Reforms in Party Primaries and Court Disqualifications
Beyond electronic transmission, Akpabio highlighted other key reforms contained in the Act.
He said party members would now have greater opportunities to vote directly for candidates during primaries, a move aimed at reducing the dominance of a small group of delegates.
The law also introduces a major change in post-election disputes: where a leading candidate is disqualified by a court, a fresh election must be conducted, rather than declaring a runner-up with significantly fewer votes as the winner by default.
Heated Debate Before Passage
The bill, formally titled the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026, generated intense debate in the National Assembly.
On Tuesday, lawmakers passed the measure after a tense and sometimes rowdy session in the Senate chamber. Proceedings were briefly disrupted when Senator demanded a formal division over Clause 60 as deliberations resumed.
Much of the disagreement centred on the method of transmitting election results ahead of the 2027 general elections — an issue that has sharply divided political actors and observers nationwide.
Despite the disagreements, the bill eventually secured passage and presidential assent, setting the stage for what supporters describe as a new era of transparency, credibility, and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
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