By Agbenu Oyale, Abuja
It was another rowdy session in the Senate on Thursday as lawmakers commenced clause by clause consideration of the report of its Committee on INEC on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021.
Senator Sabi Abdullahi representing Niger North had proposed an amendment to Sections 52(2) and 52(3) of the report which proposed electronic voting and transmission of results.
Section 52(3).
Section 52(2) states that:” The Commission may adopt electronic voting or any other method of voting in any election it conducts as it may deem fit.”
Section 52(3) states: “The Commission may transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when practicable.”
Abdullahi proposed that the national telecommunication regulatory body, the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) should be allowed to determine if the Independent National Electoral Commission be allowed to proceed with electronic voting on the eve of the general elections based on the former assessment and National Assembly approval.
The amendment proposed reads: “The Commission may consider the electronic transmission of results provided that the national coverage is adjudged secured by the NCC and approved by the NASS.”
The amendment was seconded by Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume.
When put to vote, the President of the Senate, claimed that the majority of the lawmakers voted in favour of the amendment.
The Senate dissolved into a closed-door session as certain senators who faulted his ruling threatened a walkout.