Senate Retains Electronic Transmission of Election Results

The Senate minority caucus has clarified that provisions for the electronic transmission of election results were retained in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill recently passed by the upper chamber, following public confusion over reports that lawmakers had rejected the measure.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, former Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe said the caucus felt compelled to address what he described as widespread misunderstanding of proceedings during Wednesday’s plenary session.

“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 added that the Senate passed provisions supporting electronic transmission, noting that the position was also confirmed by the Senate President during the plenary. According to Abaribe, the clarification was necessary to maintain transparency and public trust in the electoral process.

The Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, which underwent extensive deliberations in both chambers of the National Assembly, includes several reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework, including provisions that enhance the accuracy and speed of result collation through electronic transmission.

READ ALSO: Remi Tinubu Calls for Compassionate, People-Centred Cancer Care

Observers and civil society groups had reacted strongly to early media reports suggesting that the Senate had rejected electronic transmission, raising concerns about potential setbacks to electoral transparency. Abaribe’s clarification is expected to reassure stakeholders that the legislative framework for electronic result transmission remains intact.

He emphasized that lawmakers remain committed to ensuring that electoral reforms are implemented in a manner that guarantees credible, timely, and transparent elections across the country. “It is important for Nigerians to know that the Senate supports modern mechanisms for election result transmission, which will help curb delays and enhance confidence in the electoral process,” he added.

The development comes as Nigeria prepares for upcoming elections, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) increasingly relying on technology to streamline result collation and minimize human error. Analysts say the retention of electronic transmission provisions is a positive signal for improving the credibility of elections.