Senate Switches Gears: Real‑Time Vote Uploads Back on Track

"Senate members flipped a decision after pressure from workers, activists and lawyers. They had earlier rejected a rule that would force election results to be sent online right after counting. The rule was seen as a tool against fraud and manipulation. The change came after protests outside parliament. People wanted the Senate to follow the House, which had already passed the rule. Nigeria’s elections have faced problems for years: vote‑buying, violence and unclear counting. Courts often decide disputed races. Even with biometric voters and online uploads in past elections, the counting process is still mostly manual. That secrecy fuels doubts about fairness. The upcoming 2027 election will let President Tinubu run again. Reform supporters argue that instant electronic transmission would make the process clearer and cut disagreements.Some senators said poor internet in some areas made the rule impossible. Civil groups disagreed, saying lawmakers were creating more uncertainty by refusing to enforce uploads. The Bar Association warned that the initial vote could lead to disputes and lower trust in elections. Over the weekend, the labour union warned of nationwide strikes or a boycott if the clause stayed out. The union leader said that not adding real‑time uploads could spark mass action before, during or after the election. Now both chambers will form a joint committee to unify the electoral act before sending it to President Tinubu for approval. This move hopes to restore confidence in Nigeria’s voting process. "