Senate clarifies position on e-transmission of results

The Senate Minority Caucus has moved to dispel confusion surrounding the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, insisting that lawmakers did not reject electronic transmission of election results, despite widespread reports suggesting otherwise.

Former Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, told journalists on Thursday: “Since yesterday, the media has been awash with reports suggesting that the Senate rejected the electronic transmission of election results. That is not correct. 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.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio had earlier echoed this position, describing viral claims as misleading. “Electronic transfer remains as provided under the 2022 Electoral Act. We retained it to avoid legal and operational ambiguities,” he said during plenary.

Electronic transmission of results has been one of the most hotly debated reforms in Nigeria’s electoral process. During the passage of the 2022 Electoral Act, lawmakers clashed over whether INEC should be mandated to transmit results electronically, with critics warning of infrastructural challenges in rural areas.

Civil society groups and INEC itself have consistently argued that electronic transmission is essential for transparency and credibility. The Senate’s latest clarification seeks to reassure Nigerians that the provision remains intact.

Abaribe explained that the decision followed extensive consultations: “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 added that an Ad hoc Committee chaired by Senator Sadiq Umar reviewed the Electoral Committee’s report before a closed-door session: “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.”

Video records, he noted, confirm that the Senate President affirmed electronic transmission during plenary. “Because of movement and noise in the chamber, it appeared to some that something went wrong, but the record is clear,” Abaribe said.

The caucus stressed that differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, particularly on timelines, will be reconciled by a harmonisation committee. However, Abaribe cautioned: “After plenary yesterday, we adjourned without adopting the votes and proceedings. Under our rules, harmonisation cannot begin without that step.”

He assured that once adopted, the harmonisation committee will ensure the final document reflects the provision for real-time electronic transmission of results. “Only after that can the harmonisation committee meet. At harmonisation, you either adopt the House version or the Senate version, nothing else,” he explained.

Electronic transmission of results is seen as a cornerstone of electoral credibility. Abaribe underscored its importance: “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.”

The clarification comes at a time public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process remains fragile, with civil society groups urging lawmakers to strengthen reforms rather than dilute them.

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