Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has reiterated the need for the real-time electronic transmission of election results, insisting the process is achievable.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan said the Independent National Electoral Commission has no excuses regarding electronic transmission, given its humongous budget for 2026.

“Electoral Act: Absolute real-time transmission is possible,” the lawmaker wrote on Facebook.

Senator Goodwill Akpabio’s removal of the real-time electronic transmission of election results from the newly passed Electoral Act sparked public outrage, prompting prominent opposition figures, including Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and others, to lead protests at the National Assembly for two days.

The Senate, in an emergency plenary on Tuesday, eventually amended the Electoral Act, modifying Clause 60 to mandate the presiding officer at every polling unit to electronically transmit election results to the IREV portal.

Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan, who initially rejected the removal of the clause in the newly amended act alongside some lawmakers, urged INEC to partner Starlink for the remote connection required for real-time electronic transmission.

“INEC should partner with Starlink for remote connectivity. Remember, INEC’s 2026 budget is ₦1.01 trillion. Zero excuses,” the lawmaker advised.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar rejected the amended Electoral Act, allowing both real-time electronic and manual transmission of election results, arguing that the move would create further confusion.

“Nigerians were expecting real-time electronic transfer at the various levels of elections, but what we got is a mixture of electronic and manual transmission, which is going to cause more confusion and chaos than if we had a single-tier transmission system,” Mr Abubakar said on Tuesday.