Senators have passed electronic transmission of results as part of Electoral Act Amendment Bill currently being read for a 3rd time.
Before INEC can transmit electronically, the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, must adjudge national coverage is adequate and secure, and National Assembly must approve.
The passage of the section of the bill has caused a conflict in the chamber and many lawmakers have resorted to heated arguments over Senate President Ahmad Lawan’s ruling, an opposition led by Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and mostly PDP Senators.
The Senate is currently considering the Electoral Amendment bill for passage.
This process has, however, been disrupted by disagreement among the lawmakers over Section 52(3) of the bill.
This section deals with electronic transmission of result during elections.
It states ” The Commission may transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when practicable.”
The lawmakers were already having the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill when they arrived at this Section and the Senate Deputy Whip, Sabi Abdullahi, moved to amend the section.
“The commission may consider electronic transmission provided the national network coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the Nigerian Communications Commission and approved by the National Assembly,” he proposed.
