The House of Representatives has approved provisions making the electronic transmission of election results mandatory in real time.
Lawmakers reached this decision on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, during clause-by-clause consideration of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill report.
The approved clause requires presiding officers to transmit results electronically from each polling unit to the INEC Result Viewing Portal immediately after signing and stamping the relevant forms.
This change addresses gaps in the Electoral Act 2022, where electronic transmission was permitted but not compulsory.
The Independent National Electoral Commission previously faced criticism when its IReV portal experienced delays during past elections, raising concerns over transparency.
The new provision also stipulates that if technological devices for voter accreditation fail without replacement, elections in affected units may be cancelled and rescheduled within 24 hours if results could impact overall outcomes.
Deputies considered over 70 clauses in the session, strengthening rules on collation, custody, and declaration of results to minimise disputes.
Additional amendments consolidate INEC’s authority over election organisation, logistics, and personnel deployment.
The House deferred consideration of certain sections and adjourned to continue deliberations on Thursday.
Observers note these reforms could significantly enhance electoral credibility and public trust ahead of future polls.
