On February 17, 2026, a pivotal moment unfolded in the Nigerian Senate during deliberations on the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026. At the centre of intense debate was Clause 60(3) — the provision governing the method of transmitting election results from polling units. In a division conducted on the floor of the Senate, a group of senators cast their votes against retaining the manual backup clause embedded in the bill, insisting instead on mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results without fallback to manual methods.
Although the majority of senators voted to retain the manual transmission option in the event of network failure, this group of 15 lawmakers stood firm in their conviction that a fully electronic transmission regime is essential to safeguard the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s electoral process. Below is the full list of these 15 senators who opposed the manual backup provision and backed mandatory electronic transmission — a stand that has since generated robust public discourse and attention from democracy advocates across the country.
Senators Who Voted Against the Manual Backup Clause
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Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC, Abia South)
Widely credited with initiating the call for a division on Clause 60(3), Abaribe argued that any system allowing manual transmission undermines the pursuit of election transparency. -
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central)
Ningi joined colleagues in insisting that real-time electronic transmission should be non-negotiable in Nigeria’s electoral law. -
Senator Aminu Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South)
A vocal advocate for electoral reforms focused on credibility and accountability, Tambuwal’s vote reflected deep concerns over loopholes that could foster manipulation. -
Senator Ireti Kingibe (ADC, FCT)
Kingibe’s stand emphasised the need for Nigeria’s capital territory to lead by example in embracing technological measures for credible elections. -
Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West)
With a strong record in electoral oversight and reform discussions, Dickson opposed retaining manual alternatives in the bill. -
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central)
Akpoti-Uduaghan joined the opposition bloc in pushing for an uncompromising electronic transmission clause. -
Senator Onawo Ogwoshi (ADC, Nasarawa South)
Ogwoshi’s vote against the manual backup mirrored concerns about integrity and voters’ confidence. -
Senator Tony Nwoye (ADC, Anambra North)
Nwoye’s stance aligned with other senators advocating for a fully electronic process as a means of reducing opportunities for fraud. -
Senator Victor Umeh (APGA, Anambra Central)
Representing a non-majority party, Umeh’s vote highlighted cross-party consensus among reform proponents. -
Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP, Gombe Central)
Dankwambo’s opposition to manual fallback options underscored concerns about electoral transparency and technological advancement. -
Senator Austin Akobundu (PDP, Abia Central)
Akobundu’s vote reflected a broader push within segments of the legislature for stricter adherence to electronic protocols. -
Senator Khalid Mustapha (PDP, Kaduna North)
Mustapha, a senator from the northern region, added geographic diversity to the group challenging the manual clause. -
Senator Sikayo Yaro (PDP, Gombe South)
Yaro joined his colleagues in the minority opposition to the retention of manual result collation. -
Senator Emmanuel Nwachukwu (APGA, Anambra South)
Nwachukwu’s vote symbolised continued advocacy for electoral reforms through transparent technologies. -
Senator Peter Jiya (PDP, Niger South)
Jiya completed the list of senators advocating for uncompromised electronic transmission of results.
The vote emerged from a division triggered by Senator Abaribe, who challenged Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. The clause originally mandated electronic transmission of results but included a proviso allowing manual transmission via signed Form EC8A where electronic systems fail. Opponents of that proviso, including the 15 senators noted above, argued that it could provide legal cover for manipulation and electoral fraud.
When the Senate voted, 55 senators voted to retain the manual backup clause, while 15 opposed it, insisting on exclusive reliance on real-time electronic transmission. Although the minority position did not prevail, its articulation has energized public debate about electoral integrity and the future of Nigeria’s elections.
The decision to retain manual provisions, despite strong opposition, has since sparked protests, civil society mobilisations, and heightened calls for transparency reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections. Critics argue that allowing manual results as a fallback option opens the door for potential manipulation, especially in areas with weak technological infrastructure. Supporters of the clause counter that it provides a necessary safeguard to ensure result collation in areas where network connectivity is unreliable.
The list of 15 senators who voted against retaining the manual backup clause reflects a significant minority stance in the Nigerian Senate — one that advocates for uncompromising adoption of real-time electronic transmission of electoral results from polling units. While their position did not carry the day in the vote, the stand they took marks an important chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to strengthen electoral credibility, reduce opportunities for fraud, and build public trust in democratic processes.
Their names, as listed above, will form part of the historical record of Nigeria’s legislative engagement with electoral reform in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
