Abia North Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, on Tuesday, reiterated his support for electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act, dismissing a viral five-year-old video that suggested he opposed the new provision.

The senator spoke after an emergency Senate plenary that amended the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to reinforce provisions for transmitting election results electronically from polling units nationwide.

Speaking to journalists, Kalu emphasised that the Senate fully supported electronic transmission. He explained that the updated Clause 60(3) allows presiding officers to transmit results electronically once Form EC8A has been completed and signed at polling stations.

“This means electronic transmission becomes the primary method where the technology is available and functional. However, where it fails or becomes impossible, the duly signed Form EC8A remains the valid and primary source of results,” Kalu said.

He described the approach as a balance between innovation and inclusivity.

“This balanced framework strengthens transparency, fairness and credibility in our electoral process, while ensuring voters in network-challenged communities are not disenfranchised. Our democracy must work for every Nigerian, everywhere.”

Kalu’s media office also addressed the viral video, clarifying that the footage dates back to the 9th Senate in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when all senators were wearing face masks.

“At no point in the 10th Senate, whether during public hearings, plenary deliberations or executive sessions, has Senator Orji Kalu opposed electronic transmission of election results,” the statement said.

The office noted that Kalu, along with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and lawmakers across party lines, has consistently supported electronic transmission as provided under Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act.

Reacting to the video, Kalu said it was outdated and misleading.

“To the best of my knowledge, the 10th Senate has progressed very well. Even the Senate President never opposed electronic transmission. About 95 per cent of senators supported it,” he said.

He added: “What they are circulating is from five years ago in the 9th Senate, when we discussed limitations such as lack of computers and power. I am surprised people can be this cheap.”

The senator also said he personally spoke in favor of electronic transmission during closed sessions.

“Even in executive sessions, I spoke for about 15 minutes in support of electronic transmission. Nobody in the 10th Senate opposed it. The image being circulated reflects the realities of then, not now,” Kalu said.

He explained that earlier confusion arose from legal wording.

“When a motion was brought to ‘transfer’ results electronically, it became a legal issue. It was withdrawn and replaced with ‘electronic,’ which the Senate adopted. Because of noise, some people misunderstood the Senate President’s explanation.”

During Tuesday’s sitting, lawmakers rescinded and re-amended parts of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to facilitate electronic transmission without making real-time uploads mandatory.

After lengthy deliberations, the Senate agreed that results can be transmitted electronically once Form EC8A is signed and stamped at polling units. In areas with poor network connectivity, the signed EC8A will remain the primary source for collation and declaration of results.

While the amendment does not mandate real-time transmission, he said it strengthens transparency, credibility, and accessibility in Nigeria’s electoral process.

We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel