The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will transmit election results electronically at the approval of the National Communication Commission (NCC) and the National Assembly (NASS).
This is the resolution of the Nigerian Senate during plenary on Thursday while considering the amended electoral act.
A total of 52 lawmakers mostly belonging to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) voted to empower the NCC and the National Assembly to determine the transmission of results electronically in any election while 28 others voted against it.
This is coming after the senate secretly blocked the transmission of election results through electronic means in clause 52 (3) of the electoral bill but rescind its action after public outcry.
The section which empowers INEC to transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when practicable was amended on the request of the Senate Deputy Whip, Sabi Abdullahi.
“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,” Mr Abdullahi proposed.
Argument and chaos followed immediately from opposing lawmakers and Senate President Ahmad Lawan called for an executive session that lasted about 15 minutes.
When the lawmakers returned from the session, Senate Minority leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, called for a division citing Order 73 of the Senate Standing Rule which allows individual voting on an issue if senators disagree with the ruling of the Senate President.
The senators were later called one after the other and they voted verbally in support of the amended section.
