The Senate Minority Caucus has clarified that the Senate did not vote against electronic transmission of election results while passing the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, contrary to widespread media reports that sparked public criticism.
The clarification followed reports that emerged on Wednesday, January 4, alleging that lawmakers rejected electronic transmission of results and a proposed 10-year ban for vote buyers and other electoral offenders.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio promptly dismissed the reports as misleading, insisting that the provision for electronic transmission, as contained in the 2022 Electoral Act, was retained to avoid legal and operational confusion.
Addressing the issue on Thursday, former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the caucus felt compelled to correct what he described as a misunderstanding of proceedings during 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.”
He explained that the Senate actually passed the provision for electronic transmission of results, a point that was also affirmed by the Senate President during plenary.
According to Abaribe, confusion arose due to movement and noise in the chamber at the time of voting, creating the false impression that the provision was rejected.
Abaribe stressed that senators are accountable to their constituencies and must clarify issues when legislative actions are misrepresented.
“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,” he said.
He traced the bill’s journey through a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on electoral matters, noting that the process involved retreats, public hearings, and consultations with stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and civil society organisations.
“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,” he said.
Abaribe also clarified that an Ad hoc Committee was constituted to resolve outstanding issues and that all relevant committees and senators unanimously agreed on electronic transmission as captured in Section 65 of the bill.
He explained that harmonisation with the House version cannot begin until the Senate formally adopts the Votes and Proceedings, assuring that this would be done to reflect the approved provision.
“This is not a party matter,” Abaribe added.
“Senators across party lines agree on this because transparent, free, and fair elections are the foundation of democracy.”
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