A group of serving Senators, largely from minority political parties, has moved to clarify proceedings on the floor of the Senate during the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, insisting that the chamber did not reject real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The group, led by former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the clarification became necessary following widespread media reports that the Senate struck out Section 60(3) of the Bill, which provides for the real-time electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
According to the Senators, they will closely monitor the harmonisation process to ensure that the provision is retained in the final version of the Bill transmitted to the President for assent.
The clarification, however, appears to contrast with events during plenary consideration of Clause 60.
During the debate, Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Mongunu drew attention to the wording of the law and urged the chamber to retain the term “transfer” as contained in the 2022 Electoral Act.
His position was immediately seconded by Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, after which Senate President Godswill Akpabio endorsed the retention of the existing provision.
Amid the process, Senator Abaribe was heard raising concerns on the floor, stating that he could not clearly hear what was adopted due to the noise in the chamber.
The presiding officer, however, proceeded with the decision.
In his closing remarks, Senate President Akpabio reiterated that the Senate merely adopted the provision in the 2022 Electoral Act, which he said already accommodates electronic transmission of results.
Addressing journalists later, Senator Abaribe maintained that, on his honour and that of other Senators present at the Executive session, there was agreement that real-time electronic transmission of results be retained.
He said the position was the outcome of broad consensus reached during consultations involving the Senate Electoral Committee, an ad-hoc Committee, INEC, and other stakeholders.
Abaribe added that the consensus in favour of electronic transmission was reflected in reports submitted to both chambers and reaffirmed during the Senate’s closed session, before final passage at plenary.
He further stated that subsequent verification, including confirmation by the Senate President, reaffirmed that electronic transmission of results was approved.
Also speaking, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) described reports suggesting that the Senate rejected electronic transmission as “painful,” insisting that at no point since the amendment process began did the National Assembly abandon the need for a legal framework backing electronic transmission of election results.
He assured Nigerians that the senators would ensure Section 60(3) remains in the final harmonised document transmitted to the President.
The lawmakers stressed that the Senate acted in good faith and in the best interest of the nation’s electoral process.
Other Senators present at the media briefing include; Austin Akobundu, Peter Jiya, Ireti Kingibe, Victor Umeh, Binos Yaroe, Kabeeb Mustapha, Khalid Mustapha, Mohammed Onawo, Aminu Tambuwal, Tony Nwoye, and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
