The Senate broke its silence on the electronic transmission of results for the Electoral Bill, insisting that INEC may only electronically transmit election results if the Nigerian Communications Commission endorses the mode of electronic transfer as safe and secure.
The Senate approved this in Thursday’s plenary, during a vote over section 52(3) of the electoral act amendment bill withdrawing INEC’s right as sole player in transmitting election results.
The latest amendment was supported by Senator Sabi Abdullahi and seconded by Senator Ali Ndume, but was challenged by Senate minority leader, Enyinnanya Abaribe, who called for a public vote.
However, the Senate session turned rowdy immediately after the decision as some senators contested the amendment of the section, forcing a closed-door session.
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Nairametrics reported earlier that Professor Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission stated that the plan by the National Assembly to exclude electronic transmission of votes in the new Electoral Reform Bill is counterproductive. Jega insists that electronic transmission reduces cases of electoral fraud and makes the process more efficient.
