Ahead of the general election in 2027, the Nigerian Senate has announced proposals to amend the Electoral Act to permit specific modifications.
According to Anaedoonline.ng, the Red Chamber stated in a communiqué following its retreat in Ikot Ikpene, Akwa-Ibom State, that the modification will permit Nigerians living abroad to vote, at least in presidential elections.
The amendment would also require the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to send results electronically starting in 2027, including the uploading of polling unit-level results and result sheets used at various levels of result collation, the Senate revealed.
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Following a number of concerns surrounding INEC’s failure to electronically transmit the results of the most recent general election, this development has occurred. Following this, Nigerians have demanded that the BVAS machine’s results be electronically sent in future elections.
The communiqué stated, “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.
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“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.”
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