By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Senate Minority Caucus has clarified that the Senate did not reject the electronic transmission of election results while passing the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, contrary to reports.
The clarification came on Thursday, a day after the Senate faced public criticism over claims that lawmakers had voted against electronic transmission of results and tougher penalties for electoral offences.
Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the reports were based on a misunderstanding of Wednesday’s plenary proceedings.
According to him, the Senate passed the provision on electronic transmission of results, a position he said was also affirmed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the session.
Abaribe explained that the provision, contained in Section 65 of the bill, was unanimously agreed upon by the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, an Ad hoc Committee, and senators during a closed-door executive session.
He added that confusion arose during plenary due to movement and noise in the chamber but said video records show the Senate President confirming the passage of electronic transmission.
The senator said a harmonization committee would reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill before it is forwarded for presidential assent.
He stressed that the Senate remains committed to transparent, free, and fair elections, describing electronic transmission of results as central to public trust in the democratic process.
