ELECTORAL ACT AMENDMENT: SENATE DIVIDED OVER E-TRANSMISSION OF RESULTS
The Nigerian Senate is divided over the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, with tensions rising on how election results should be handled if electronic transmission fails.
Tensions rose when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe called for a division on clause 63, that permits presiding officers to continue collation with form EC8A when electronic transmission breaks down, arguing that the provision could weaken confidence in the process.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele sponsored the motion to reopen the bill, saying it is in the public interest and also to give senators a chance to formally show their positions.
Presiding over the plenary session, President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio ordered a headcount for those in support of and those against the proviso. 55 senators voted to keep the proviso while 15 opposed it, revealing a clear split.
