Abuja: Some senators have reaffirmed the passage of clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill, which allows for the real-time electronic transmission of election results, by the senate during a plenary session on Wednesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, 13 senators, led by Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe, clarified the situation at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja. Abaribe addressed media reports suggesting that the senate had rejected the clause on electronic transmission of results, emphasizing that the senate president had confirmed the passage of the clause related to electronic results transmission.
Abaribe explained that a joint committee of the electoral committees from both chambers worked on the electoral act amendment bill proposal. The committees convened several retreats and reached a consensus that electronic transmission of results was essential, which was reflected in reports from both the House and Senate. The senator assured that the report from the senate ad hoc committee was considered and passed without any issues during the plenary session.
He further noted that a committee has been established to harmonize the senate’s passed version with that of the house of representatives. This harmonization process aims to create a single document for the president’s signature. Abaribe clarified that after the plenary session, the senate did not reconvene to approve the votes and proceedings, as the document for the harmonization committee must be ratified by the votes and proceedings.
Abaribe urged Nigerians to engage with their representatives and ensure clarity on what was passed, highlighting that a majority of senators across party lines supported the real-time electronic transmission of results. He stressed that this issue transcends party politics and is of national importance.