The Senate Minority Caucus has dismissed widespread claims that the Senate rejected the electronic transmission of election results while passing the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
Speaking with journalists on Thursday, former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said reports suggesting that lawmakers voted against electronic transmission were false and misleading.
His clarification comes a day after the Senate faced heavy criticism following media reports that it had thrown out proposals for e-transmission of results and a 10-year ban on vote buyers and other electoral offenders.
According to Abaribe, the confusion stemmed from a misunderstanding of proceedings during Wednesday’s plenary.
“Since yesterday, the media has been awash with reports claiming that the Senate rejected electronic transmission of results. That is simply not true,” he said.
“To be clear, the Senate did not and I repeat, did not reject electronic transmission of election results as provided for in the 2022 Electoral Act.”
He explained that the Senate actually approved the electronic transmission of results, a position earlier reaffirmed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who described the reports as misleading.
Abaribe stressed that senators owe the public clarity and transparency, especially when legislative actions are misrepresented.
“We were elected on trust. When our actions are misunderstood, it becomes necessary to explain exactly what happened,” he said.
He traced the decision to extensive work by a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on electoral matters, which held multiple retreats within and outside Abuja. These sessions involved the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society organisations.
“At the end of those engagements, there was consensus that electronic transmission of results was the best option. That agreement was reflected in the reports submitted to both chambers,” Abaribe noted.
He added that electronic transmission was treated as a core and non-negotiable provision, following public hearings, debates, and consultations.
After the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters submitted its report, an Ad hoc Committee, chaired by Senator Sadiq Umar, was set up to further review the document. Its findings were later discussed during a closed-door executive session.
“The closed session was meant to resolve outstanding issues so the bill could be passed smoothly at plenary,” Abaribe explained.
He said all relevant committees and senators unanimously agreed to retain electronic transmission of results, as stated in Section 65 of the bill.
“At plenary, the Senate passed electronic transmission of results. However, due to movement and noise in the chamber, it appeared to some observers that something went wrong,” he said, adding that video recordings clearly show the Senate President confirming the approval.
Abaribe also explained that a harmonisation committee would be set up to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, particularly on timelines.
However, he clarified that harmonisation cannot begin until the Senate formally adopts the Votes and Proceedings, which did not happen before adjournment.
“Once we reconvene and adopt the votes and proceedings, harmonisation can begin. At that stage, the committee can only choose between the House or Senate version, nothing else,” he said.
He reaffirmed that the Senate approved real-time electronic transmission of election results, stressing that the issue cuts across party lines.
“This is not about politics. Senators from all parties agree that transparent, free, and fair elections are the backbone of democracy,” Abaribe said.
The caucus concluded by assuring Nigerians that due process would be followed and that the final document would fully reflect the Senate’s approval of electronic transmission of election results.
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