Senate did not reject electronic transmission of results — Abaribe

The Senate Minority Caucus has clarified that the upper chamber did not reject the electronic transmission of election results during deliberations on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, countering widespread media reports suggesting otherwise.

The clarification follows public backlash after reports on Wednesday claimed that lawmakers voted against proposals for electronic transmission of results and a 10-year ban on vote buying and other electoral offences.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, described the reports as a misunderstanding of proceedings and insisted that the Senate retained the provision for electronic transmission as contained in the 2022 Electoral Act.

“Since yesterday, the media has been awash with reports suggesting that the Senate rejected the electronic transmission of election results. That is not correct,” Abaribe said.

“To put the record straight, the Senate did not — I repeat, did not — reject electronic transmission of results.”

He explained that the bill passed by the Senate supports the electronic transfer of election results in real time, a position he said was also affirmed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.

According to Abaribe, the decision followed extensive consultations and reviews by the joint Senate and House of Representatives committees on electoral matters, with participation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society groups.

He said the committees held several retreats, public hearings, and debates, all of which endorsed electronic transmission as a key, non-negotiable provision.

“At the end of those engagements, everyone agreed that electronic transmission of results was the way to go, and that was reflected in the reports submitted to both chambers,” he said.

Abaribe added that an ad hoc committee was later set up to review the report and address outstanding issues. The committee’s recommendations were discussed during a closed-door session aimed at resolving differences before the bill returned to plenary.

He noted that confusion may have arisen due to noise and movement in the chamber during voting but maintained that video records show the Senate President confirming the passage of the electronic transmission clause.

The senator further explained that a harmonisation committee would reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill, particularly on timelines and other provisions, before forwarding a unified document for presidential assent.

However, he said harmonisation cannot begin until the Senate formally adopts its Votes and Proceedings, a procedural step that has yet to be completed.

“After plenary, we adjourned without adopting the Votes and Proceedings. Under our rules, harmonisation cannot commence without that step,” he said.

Abaribe stressed that the Senate would reconvene to complete the process and ensure the final document accurately reflects the inclusion of electronic transmission.

“This is not a party matter,” he added.

“Transparent, free and fair elections are the foundation of democracy, and electronic transmission is central to that.”

The caucus reiterated that the Senate remains committed to due process and maintaining credible electoral reforms.