The senate minority caucus says lawmakers retained electronic transmission of election results during the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) bill.
On Wednesday, the senate retained the provision for electronic transfer of election results as contained in the Electoral Act 2022.
During the consideration of the Electoral Act (Amendment) bill, the red chamber also rejected proposals for real-time results transmission and a 10-year ban on vote buyers, opting instead to maintain existing sanctions of fines or jail terms.
The clarification follows public criticism after reports claimed lawmakers rejected electronic transmission of election results and a proposed 10-year ban on vote buyers and other electoral offenders.
Speaking with journalists on Thursday, Enyinnaya Abaribe, former senate minority leader, said the caucus was compelled to address the “widespread misunderstanding” of proceedings at Wednesday’s plenary.
“Since yesterday, the media has been awash with reports suggesting that the Senate rejected the electronic transmission of election results. That is not correct,” Abaribe said.
“To put the record straight, the Senate did not — I repeat, did not — reject electronic transmission of results as provided for in the 2022 Electoral Act.”
Abaribe said the senate passed provisions supporting the electronic transmission of results, adding that the position was clarified by the senate president during plenary.
He said lawmakers considered it necessary to address the issue in the interest of transparency and public trust.
“We came here under the trust of our senatorial districts. When it appears that our actions have been misunderstood, it becomes necessary to clarify exactly what happened,” he said.
Abaribe outlined the legislative process leading to the decision, beginning with deliberations by the joint committee of the senate and house of representatives on electoral matters.
He said the committee held retreats involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society organisations.
“At the end of those retreats, everyone agreed that electronic transmission of results was the way to go. That position was reflected in the reports presented to both chambers,” Abaribe said.
He added that the process involved debates, public hearings, and consultations, describing electronic transmission as a core provision.
Following the submission of the senate committee on electoral matters’ report, Abaribe said an ad hoc committee chaired by Sadiq Umar was constituted to further review the report.
“The closed session was held to tidy up all outstanding issues so that when we returned to plenary, the bill could be passed without rancour,” he said.
Abaribe said the senate committee, ad hoc committee, and senators at the executive session unanimously agreed on electronic transmission of results as contained in Section 65 of the bill.
“At plenary yesterday, we passed the electronic transmission of results. However, because of movement and noise in the chamber, it appeared to some that something went wrong,” the lawmaker said.
He said senators later sought confirmation and were reassured, adding that video records showed the senate president affirming that electronic transmission of results was passed.
Abaribe said a harmonisation committee was established to reconcile differences between the senate and house versions of the bill, particularly on timelines.
“The role of the harmonisation committee is to reconcile differences between both versions and produce a single document for presidential assent,” he said.
The legislator noted that the senate is yet to adopt its votes and proceedings, which is required before harmonisation can commence.
“After plenary yesterday, we adjourned without adopting the votes and proceedings. Under our rules, harmonisation cannot begin without that step,” he said.
Abaribe assured Nigerians that the senate would reconvene to adopt the votes and proceedings to reflect the provision on electronic transmission of results.
“Only after that can the harmonisation committee meet. At harmonisation, you either adopt the House version or the Senate version — nothing else,” he said.
He insisted that electronic transmission of results remains the senate’s position.
“This is not a party matter. Senators across party lines agree on this because transparent, free, and fair elections are the foundation of democracy. If results are not transparent or the process is distorted, then it is not a democracy,” he added.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, described real-time electronic transmission of election results as a safeguard against electoral manipulation.
Akpoti-Uduaghan said removing the provision would pose a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
“I, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, support the real-time electronic transmission of results. The failure to retain this provision constitutes a lethal assault on Nigeria’s democracy,” she said.
The lawmaker said credible elections depend on transparency at every stage — from voting and collation process.
She added that Nigerians must be assured that their votes count.
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