Amid public confusion over the Electoral Act Amendment Bill passed by the Senate, ranking senators led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe have clarified that the upper chamber did not remove electronic transmission of election results. Briefing journalists at the National Assembly, Abaribe stressed that reports suggesting a return to manual processes were misleading and incorrect.
He explained that the distinction between transfer and transmission of results had been misunderstood, causing misinterpretation of the Senate’s action. According to Abaribe, the provision for electronic transmission, including real-time results, was the outcome of extensive legislative processes involving joint committees from both chambers, INEC, and civil society organizations.
Abaribe further disclosed that after the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters presented its report, an ad hoc committee reviewed it, leading to agreement on Clause 603 which supports electronic transmission. He noted that confusion during plenary arose due to the crowded chamber and multiple conversations, but the Senate President confirmed that electronic transmission was passed.
He added that a harmonisation committee has been set up to reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill, and stressed that the process is not yet concluded. Once harmonisation is complete, a single document will be forwarded for presidential assent.
Other senators present reiterated their commitment to ensuring credible, transparent, and technology-driven elections in Nigeria, reassuring the public that electronic transmission would remain intact.
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