The Senate Minority Caucus has clarified that contrary to widespread media reports, the Senate did not reject the electronic transmission of election results during the recent passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
The clarification comes a day after reports suggested that lawmakers had dismissed proposals for e-transmission of results and a 10-year ban on vote buyers and other electoral offenders. Senate President Godswill Akpabio had earlier described these claims as misleading, emphasizing that the electronic transmission provisions in the 2022 Electoral Act remain intact to avoid legal and operational ambiguities.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, former Senate Minority Leader Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said the caucus was compelled to correct what he described as a “widespread misunderstanding” of Wednesday’s plenary proceedings.
“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.”
He explained that what the Senate passed was indeed the electronic transmission of results, a position also clarified by the Senate President during plenary. Abaribe added that the clarification was necessary to uphold transparency and maintain public trust in senators.
The senator detailed the legislative process leading to the decision, noting that a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives, along with INEC and civil society groups, had agreed that electronic transmission was essential. Public hearings, debates, and consultations all reinforced the decision as “core and non-negotiable.”
Following the committee’s report, an Ad hoc Committee chaired by Senator Sadiq Umar reviewed the findings during a closed-door session to resolve outstanding issues before plenary. “At plenary, we passed the electronic transmission of results. However, because of movement and noise in the chamber, it appeared to some that something went wrong,” Abaribe said. Video records, he noted, confirm that the Senate President affirmed its passage.
A harmonisation committee has been set up to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of the bill, particularly on timelines. However, Abaribe stressed that harmonisation cannot begin until the Senate formally adopts the votes and proceedings confirming the provision.
“Only after adoption can the harmonisation committee meet. At harmonisation, you either adopt the House version or the Senate version nothing else,” he explained.
The senator emphasized that the decision transcends party lines, as “transparent, free, and fair elections are the foundation of democracy. If results are not transparent, it is not a democracy.”
He concluded by assuring the public that the Senate leadership will ensure due process is followed and that the final document will accurately reflect the legislature’s position on electronic transmission of results.
Elijah Adeyemi
