The Senate plans to alter the Electoral Act before the 2027 elections to provide diaspora voting, at least for presidential elections, in order to give citizens, particularly those doing critical service overseas, the opportunity to cast their ballots.
In a statement released at the conclusion of its retreat in Ikot Ikpene, Akwa-Ibom State, the Senate also decided to mandate electronic transmission of results beginning with the 2027 general elections, including the uploading of results at the polling unit level and result sheets used at various levels of result collation.
Several Nigerians also demanded that the BVAS machine’s results be transmitted electronically.
The Senate emphasised that the commission needed to be unbundled in order to increase the Independent National Electoral Commission’s efficiency and effectiveness in the planning and conduct of elections.
The communiqué read:
“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.”
cc: Punch Ng
