From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Senate, on Tuesday, adopted both electronic and manual modes of transmitting election results after a tense and rowdy plenary that saw lawmakers revisit last week’s decision on Clause 60 of the Electoral Act amendment bill.
Proceedings opened with the Senate reconvening to consider votes and proceedings of Wednesday’s sitting, during which the controversial clause on transmission of results had been debated.
Trouble began when the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), raised a point of order seeking the rescission of the Senate’s earlier decision on Clause 60(3).
Monguno anchored his motion on Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), arguing that the provision required further clarification. The point of order was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central).
As Monguno proceeded to read Clause 60(3), proposing an amendment that replaced the word “transfer” with “transmission” and omitted the phrase “real-time”, the chamber became heated. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) repeatedly raised points of order, insisting that the clause be read exactly as contained in the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters.
According to page 45 of the committee’s report, Clause 60(3) states: “The Presiding Officer shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to the IReV portal in real time and such transmission shall be done after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the Presiding Officer and/or countersigned by the candidates or polling agents available at the polling unit.”
The disagreement led to a rowdy exchange on the floor as senators traded arguments over the inclusion of “real-time” transmission. Senator Abaribe subsequently invoked Order 72, calling for a division and a vote on the matter. Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, acknowledged the point of order but later announced that Abaribe had withdrawn the call for division, allowing deliberations to continue.
At the end of deliberations, the Senate adopted a compromise position, modifying Clause 60 to mandate electronic transmission of results to the IReV portal while providing a fallback option.
Under the new provision, presiding officers are required to electronically transmit results from polling units; however, where electronic transmission fails due to network or communication challenges, the manually completed result sheet, Form EC8A, shall serve as the primary source for collation.
The decision followed weeks of public outrage and sustained protests at the National Assembly, with demonstrators insisting that electronic transmission of results is crucial to curbing electoral fraud and restoring confidence in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the Senate has constituted a 12-member conference committee to harmonise differences between its version of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill and that passed by the House of Representatives.
The committee is chaired by Senator Simon Bako Lalong, with Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Senator Adamu Aliero, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Abba Moro, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Senator Aminu Iya Abbas, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Senator Niyi Adegbonmire (SAN), Senator Jibrin Isah, Senator Ipalibo Banigo, and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi serving as members.
Akpabio explained that the number of committee members was increased from the initially proposed nine to 12, following consultations with the leadership of the Senate.
“After consultation with the leadership, we have moved the number from nine to 12. I will now read out the names of the conference committee members from the Senate”, Akpabio said.
Urging the lawmakers to treat the assignment with urgency, Akpabio expressed optimism that the harmonisation process could be concluded within a short timeframe.
“When you meet, you should recognise that this is a matter of urgency. I believe that if you are able to conclude within the next few days or one week, the President should be able to sign the amended Electoral Bill into law within the month of February,” he said.
According to the Senate President, the outcome of the committee’s work would be transmitted promptly to President Bola Tinubu for assent once the harmonisation exercise is completed, paving the way for the amendment to take effect within February.
