Senate didn’t reject e-transmission of election results

The Senate minority caucus has clarified that lawmakers retained the provision for electronic transmission of election results during the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) bill.

On Wednesday, the Senate confirmed the provision for the electronic transfer of election results as stipulated in the 2022 Electoral Act.

During deliberations on the Electoral Act (Amendment) bill, the Senate also rejected proposals for real-time results transmission and a 10-year ban on vote buyers. Instead, they opted to retain existing sanctions of fines or jail terms for electoral offenders.

The clarification comes amid public backlash following reports that claimed the Senate rejected the electronic transmission of election results and a proposed 10-year ban on vote buyers.

Speaking with journalists on Thursday, Enyinnaya Abaribe, former Senate minority leader, stated that the caucus felt compelled to address the “widespread misunderstanding” of the proceedings during Wednesday’s plenary.

“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.”

Abaribe explained that the Senate passed provisions supporting the electronic transmission of results, a position further clarified by the Senate President during the plenary.

He said it was important for lawmakers to address the issue to maintain transparency and public trust. “We came here under the trust of our senatorial districts. When it appears that our actions have been misunderstood, it becomes necessary to clarify exactly what happened,” Abaribe stated.

He then outlined the legislative process leading to the decision, beginning with deliberations by the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on electoral matters.

“The committee held retreats involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society organizations. At the end of those retreats, everyone agreed that electronic transmission of results was the way to go. That position was reflected in the reports presented to both chambers,” Abaribe said.

The process included debates, public hearings, and consultations, with electronic transmission deemed a core provision. Following the submission of the Senate committee on electoral matters’ report, an ad hoc committee chaired by Sadiq Umar was constituted to further review the report.

“The closed session was held to tidy up all outstanding issues so that when we returned to plenary, the bill could be passed without rancour,” Abaribe explained.

Abaribe added that the Senate committee, ad hoc committee, and senators during the executive session unanimously agreed on the electronic transmission of results, as stated in Section 65 of the bill.

“At plenary yesterday, we passed the electronic transmission of results. However, because of movement and noise in the chamber, it appeared to some that something went wrong,” the lawmaker said.

He noted that senators later sought confirmation and were reassured, with video records showing the Senate President affirming that electronic transmission of results was passed.

Abaribe also mentioned the establishment of a harmonization committee to reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill, particularly regarding timelines.

“The role of the harmonization committee is to reconcile differences between both versions and produce a single document for presidential assent,” he explained.

The legislator emphasized that the Senate had not yet adopted its votes and proceedings, a necessary step before harmonization could begin. “After plenary yesterday, we adjourned without adopting the votes and proceedings. Under our rules, harmonization cannot begin without that step,” he said.

Abaribe assured Nigerians that the Senate would reconvene to adopt the votes and proceedings to reflect the provision on electronic transmission of results. “Only after that can the harmonization committee meet. At harmonization, you either adopt the House version or the Senate version — nothing else,” he said.

He reiterated that electronic transmission of results remains the Senate’s position, insisting, “This is not a party matter. Senators across party lines agree on this because transparent, free, and fair elections are the foundation of democracy. If results are not transparent or the process is distorted, then it is not a democracy.”

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, also spoke out in favor of the real-time electronic transmission of election results, describing it as a safeguard against electoral manipulation.

“I, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, support the real-time electronic transmission of results. The failure to retain this provision constitutes a lethal assault on Nigeria’s democracy,” she said.

She emphasized that credible elections depend on transparency at every stage — from voting to the collation process — and added that Nigerians must be assured that their votes count.