The Nigerian Senate announced a reversal of a decision taken in July on electronic transmission, by granting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the power to electronically transmit results.
This was announced by Senate leader Yahaya Abdullahi, during Tuesday’s plenary session discussing the amendment of Nigeria’s Electoral Bill ahead of the 2023 elections, reported by ICIR.
The Senate leader said the decision was made by its INEC Committee, stating that a fresh legislative review is needed on some electoral bill clauses.
“After critical examination of the bill by the Senate Committee on INEC, some fundamental issues which require fresh legislative action on the following clauses 43, 52, 63 and 87 were observed,” he said.
The report stated the Senate leader disclosed that INEC might consider transmitting results electronically provided the national network coverage was adjudged to be adequate and secure by the Nigerian Communications Commission and approved by the National Assembly.
Recall that, in July, 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, during a vote over section 52(3) of the electoral act amendment bill withdrawing INEC’s right as sole player in transmitting election results.
Recall 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 insisted that electronic transmission reduces cases of electoral fraud and makes the process more efficient.
