While approving the bill, the Senate introduced amendments to several clauses, although the majority were retained as originally proposed.
One of the key amendments was the reduction of the timeline for INEC to publish its notice of election, cutting it from 360 days to 180 days ahead of polling. Lawmakers said the change would improve flexibility in election planning.
However, the Senate rejected a provision for real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the IReV portal. Instead, lawmakers opted to retain Clause 60 of the 2022 Electoral Act, which allows results to be transmitted in a manner determined by INEC.
The decision means INEC will continue to decide when, how, and where election results are uploaded electronically, rather than being compelled by law to transmit them instantly from polling units.
In another major decision, the Senate retained the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as the sole means of voter accreditation, rejecting proposals under Clause 47 that sought to introduce electronic or alternative identification methods.
The passage of the bill has already generated mixed reactions, with critics warning that rejecting mandatory real-time transmission could undermine transparency, while supporters argue that flexibility is necessary due to infrastructure and security challenges across the country.
The bill will now proceed to the next legislative stage, where further scrutiny and harmonisation with the House of Representatives’ version are expected.
One of the key amendments was the reduction of the timeline for INEC to publish its notice of election, cutting it from 360 days to 180 days ahead of polling. Lawmakers said the change would improve flexibility in election planning.
However, the Senate rejected a provision for real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the IReV portal. Instead, lawmakers opted to retain Clause 60 of the 2022 Electoral Act, which allows results to be transmitted in a manner determined by INEC.
The decision means INEC will continue to decide when, how, and where election results are uploaded electronically, rather than being compelled by law to transmit them instantly from polling units.
In another major decision, the Senate retained the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as the sole means of voter accreditation, rejecting proposals under Clause 47 that sought to introduce electronic or alternative identification methods.
The passage of the bill has already generated mixed reactions, with critics warning that rejecting mandatory real-time transmission could undermine transparency, while supporters argue that flexibility is necessary due to infrastructure and security challenges across the country.
The bill will now proceed to the next legislative stage, where further scrutiny and harmonisation with the House of Representatives’ version are expected.
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