Natasha makes U-turn backs real-time e-transmission of results
In a high-stakes twist to the ongoing national debate on electoral reform, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan — the lawmaker representing Kogi Central — has publicly reversed her earlier position and expressed firm support for the mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results contained in the proposed Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026. Her intervention comes amid intense national protests, mounting pressure from civil society and sharp divisions within the Senate over how Nigeria manages the transmission of polling unit results ahead of the 2027 general elections. 
In a Facebook post shared on Tuesday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said she had decided to back calls for the retention of “real-time electronic transmission of election results” because Nigerians deserve transparent elections that command public confidence and reflect the genuine will of the people. 
“As I step into the Senate chamber today, I carry with me the hopes and expectations of millions of Nigerians who yearn for stronger democratic safeguards enshrined in our laws,” she wrote. “Real-time electronic transmission of election results is a critical step toward deepening transparency, preserving the sanctity of the people’s mandate, and restoring public confidence in our electoral process.” 
Shift in Stance Comes Amid Nationwide Outrage
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s endorsement marks a notable shift in tone and focus from the dispute within the Senate. The controversy erupted when the upper legislative chamber passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill, 2026 — but without the explicit phrase “real-time” in its provisions on electronic transmission of results. This omission drew widespread criticism, with many saying the Senate had diluted a reform that could boost voting transparency and help curb election manipulation. 
The Senate had maintained that it had not removed electronic transmission entirely from the bill, arguing that the existing language still allows INEC to upload results electronically. But critics disagree, saying the lack of a clear, compulsory real-time transmission requirement could create loopholes for delayed uploads or tampering during collation — problems that have plagued past elections and undermined confidence in results. 
Why Real-Time E-Transmission Matters
Real-time electronic transmission refers to the instant upload of polling unit results directly to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing (IReV) portal immediately after results are signed off by polling officers. Advocates argue this innovation is crucial to transparency because it allows voters, political parties and observers to verify results at the earliest possible moment, reducing the risk of manipulation during collation at higher levels. 
“Nigeria deserves elections that inspire trust, strengthen unity, and reflect the genuine will of the people,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said in her post, echoing a sentiment that has been voiced by many stakeholders who have taken to the streets under the banner #OccupyNASS to demand stronger electoral safeguards. 
Civil society organisations, youth groups, professional bodies and opposition figures have all joined the chorus calling on the Senate to restore mandatory real-time electronic transmission to the legislation. Some groups warned that failure to do so could erode public confidence and trigger legal disputes and unrest in 2027. 
Senate Divisions and Clarifications
Some lawmakers within the Senate — led by opposition figures including Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Aminu Tambuwal — have insisted that the Senate did not completely reject electronic transmission of results and that Panel discussions are ongoing. They argue that what was passed still contains elements of electronic transmission, even if the phrasing differs from the original proposal. 
Abaribe and colleagues held a news conference in Abuja to reassure Nigerians of their commitment to transparent elections and to stress that electronic transmission was still part of the bill as passed by the Senate. Their position was that harmonising the Senate and House of Representatives versions of the Electoral Act could yet preserve the integrity of the clause. 
Nonetheless, the public backlash — including protests at the National Assembly Complex — pressured a growing number of lawmakers, including Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, to take a public stand in favour of mandatory real-time electronic transmission to ensure that election results are available for verification as soon as polling units close and results are signed and sealed. 
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Political and Public Reactions
Public reaction to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s U-turn has been mixed. Supporters of real-time transmission welcomed her decision, saying it aligns with global best practices in electoral transparency and could help prevent the ambiguities that marred the 2023 polls. Others were initially sceptical, arguing that technological limitations in rural areas might pose challenges for real-time uploads, a concern previously cited by some senators as a reason for retaining discretionary language in the law. 
Political commentators noted that the broader debate may influence how Nigerians view legislative leadership and its responsiveness to citizen demands. With the 2027 elections on the horizon, the standoff over Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act has become a lightning rod for public debate over democratic accountability. 
Why This Matters Ahead of 2027
The inclusion of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results in Nigeria’s electoral law is more than a technical issue. It raises fundamental questions about trust in electoral institutions, the role of technology in democracy and the way lawmakers balance public expectations with operational realities. If implemented widely, real-time transmission could help reduce suspicions of result manipulation and provide immediate verification of polling unit outcomes.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s U-turn signals a shift toward aligning legislative action with popular demand for stronger democratic safeguards. Whether this will ultimately be reflected in the final form of the Electoral Act — as it moves through conference committees and toward presidential assent — remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: electronic transmission of election results, especially in real-time, has become a central battlefield in Nigeria’s evolving electoral reform process, with implications for how Nigerians engage with democracy in the years ahead.
Natasha makes U-turn backs real-time e-transmission of results
