By Ayo Ayodele
The Senate has amended the Electoral Act to allow the electronic transmission of election results, reversing its earlier rejection of the proposal.
Under the new amendment, electronic transmission will serve as the primary method for uploading election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IREV). However, the Senate provided a manual backup option in cases of technical challenges such as poor internet connectivity.
Where electronic transmission fails, results will be collated manually using Form EC8A, duly signed and stamped by the presiding officer at the polling unit.
The decision was taken on Tuesday after the Senate rescinded its previous stance against compulsory electronic transmission of results. The amendment removes the phrase “real-time” from the provision, a move that generated heated debate among lawmakers.
Concerns were raised over the reliance on Form EC8A in resolving disputes where electronic transmission is unsuccessful. The disagreement led to sharp divisions in the chamber, with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe calling for a division to determine lawmakers’ positions before later withdrawing the request.
The Senate subsequently adopted the amended provision.
Meanwhile, the upper chamber has constituted a 12-member conference committee to harmonise differences between its version of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill and that of the House of Representatives.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the committee during an emergency plenary session, naming Senator Simon Bako Lalong as chairman. Other members include Senators Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Adamu Aliero, Orji Uzor Kalu, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Aminu Iya Abbas, Tokunbo Abiru, Niyi Adegbonmire (SAN), Jibrin Isah, Ipalibo Banigo, and Onyekachi Nwebonyi.
Akpabio urged the committee to treat its assignment with urgency, expressing confidence that the harmonised bill could be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent before the end of February.
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