The Senate Minority Caucus has clarified that the Senate did not reject the electronic transmission of election results before passing the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, contrary to widespread media reports.
The clarification came on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the Senate faced public criticism over reports that lawmakers had thrown out proposals for electronic transmission of results and a 10-year ban on vote buyers and other electoral offenders.
Speaking to journalists, former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the caucus was compelled to address what he described as a serious misunderstanding of Wednesday’s plenary proceedings.
“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.”
He explained that the Senate, in fact, passed the provision for electronic transmission of results, a position earlier affirmed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who had dismissed the reports as misleading.
According to Abaribe, the confusion arose from noise and movement in the chamber during plenary, creating the impression that the provision was dropped.
He noted that electronic transmission of results was agreed upon after extensive consultations, including joint committee retreats involving the Senate, House of Representatives, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and civil society organisations.
“At the end of those engagements, everyone agreed that electronic transmission of results was the way to go. That position was reflected in the committee reports presented to both chambers,” he said.
Abaribe added that the provision, contained in Section 65 of the bill, was unanimously adopted during an executive session following the report of an ad hoc committee chaired by Senator Sadiq Umar.
He further explained that a harmonisation committee would reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill, particularly on timelines, but stressed that this process cannot commence until the Senate adopts its Votes and Proceedings.
“After plenary yesterday, we adjourned without adopting the votes and proceedings. Under our rules, harmonisation cannot begin without that step,” he said.
He assured that once the Senate reconvenes and formally adopts the Votes and Proceedings, the harmonisation committee will proceed, insisting that the final document must reflect the provision for real-time electronic transmission of results.
“This is not a party matter,” Abaribe said. “Transparent, free, and fair elections are the foundation of democracy, and senators across party lines agree on this.”
The Minority Caucus concluded by reiterating that no lawful harmonisation can occur until the Senate officially confirms, through its Votes and Proceedings, that electronic transmission of election results was passed.
