Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has reaffirmed his strong support for the electronic transmission of election results, distancing himself from a resurfaced five-year-old video that critics claim shows him opposing the process.
Speaking on Tuesday after an emergency plenary of the Senate to further amend the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Abia North lawmaker insisted that the 10th Senate has consistently backed electronic transmission of results from polling units across the country.
Kalu explained that with the adoption of the amended Clause 60(3), presiding officers are now permitted to transmit results electronically after Form EC8A has been duly completed and signed at polling units.
“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.
Describing the amendment as a balanced solution, he added: “This balanced approach strengthens transparency, fairness, and credibility in our electoral process, while ensuring that voters in network-challenged communities are not disenfranchised. Our democracy must work for every Nigerian, everywhere.”
Old Video Sparks Controversy
Kalu’s media office also addressed the circulation of a video allegedly showing him opposing electronic transmission. According to the statement, the footage dates back to deliberations in the 9th Senate in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic — evident in the face masks worn by lawmakers in the clip.
“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 read.
“Senator Kalu, alongside the Senate President and many Senators across party lines, have consistently supported electronic transmission as provided for in Section 60(3),” the office said.
‘Nobody in the 10th Senate Opposed It’
Responding directly to journalists, Kalu dismissed claims of opposition within the current Senate.
“No, to the best of my knowledge, the 10th Senate has progressed very well. Even Akpabio himself, the Senate President, never opposed transmission of results electronically. Ninety-five percent of Senators supported it,” he said.
“What they are circulating is from five years ago in the 9th Senate, when we discussed limitations like lack of computers and power. I am surprised that people can be this cheap.”
He further revealed that he spoke extensively in support of the measure during closed-door deliberations.
“Even in closed sessions, I spoke for 15 minutes in support of electronic transmission. Nobody in the 10th Senate opposed it. The picture circulating is from six years ago and reflects the realities then, not now.”
Clarifying confusion around earlier debates, Kalu explained: “When a motion was brought to ‘transfer’ results electronically, it was a legal issue. The motion was withdrawn and replaced with ‘electronic,’ which the Senate adopted. Later, because of noise, some people did not hear the Senate President speak, so misconceptions arose.”
What the Amendment Provides
Tuesday’s plenary saw lawmakers rescind and re-amend provisions of Clause 60(3) following days of controversy over a rejected proposal to compel real-time electronic transmission.
Under the revised provision, results may now be transmitted electronically after Form EC8A is signed and stamped at polling units. However, real-time upload is not mandatory. Where electronic transmission is not possible due to network challenges, the signed EC8A remains the primary source for collation and declaration of results.
The amendment, while stopping short of mandating instant uploads, seeks to reinforce transparency and credibility in the electoral process while accommodating logistical realities across the country.
