Senate empowers INEC to use electronic voting, transmission of results

The Senate on Tuesday rescinded its position on clause for voting, transmission of electronic result which empowered Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) to determine suitability of transmission of results, subject to approval of National Assembly.

The Senate’s decision followed consideration and approval of motion on “Re-Committal of Some Clauses of the Electoral Act repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2021” at plenary on Tuesday.

Senate had on July 15, amended clause 52(3) of the bill to empower NCC to determine suitability of network for transmission of results electronically with the approval of National Assembly.

Clause 52(3) of the draft bill had originally prescribed that INEC shall determine voting at election and transmission of results, which may include electronic voting.

The clause was, however, amended to empower NCC to determine suitability of network for electronic election processes with approval of National Assembly.

Senate’s decision had afterwards generated unpleasant debates among Nigerians and civil society groups.

Most Nigerians had questioned the decision, saying that it was meant to undermine and erode the constitutional powers of INEC to conduct elections in Nigeria.

Presenting the motion for re-committal of some of clauses on Electoral Act repeal and re-enactment bill 2021, Senator Abdullahi Abubakar (APC-Kebbi) said after critical examination of the bill by Senate Committee on INEC, noted that there were some fundamental issues which required fresh legislative action on some clauses.

The clauses according to Abubakar are 43, 52, 63, and 87.

He said there was need to address the observation by the committee and make necessary amendments based on order 1 (b) and 53(6) of the Senate standing order.

“Senate accordingly rescinds its decision on the affected clauses of the bill as passed and re-commit same to the committee of the whole for consideration and passage,” Abubakar said.

Contributing, Senator Adamu Aliero (APC-Kebbi), who seconded the motion said the motion would strengthen the electoral process and give Nigerians more power to select their desired leaders.

He said the motion, if adopted would help the electorate to ensure that questionable characters are not elected in governance.

According to Aliero, the motion would discourage moneybags from taking over and determine the outcome of elections in the country.

However, Senator Smart Adeyemi (APC-Kogi) was against the amendment of clause 87 to introduce direct primary election.

The clause had earlier prescribed for political parties to decide to conduct direct or indirect primary elections.

Adeyemi, however, said motion to amend the clause to introduce direct primaries would make the electoral process burdensome to the people.

Other Senators, who also supported the motion for amendment includes Senators Opeyemi Bamidela (APC-Ekiti), Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia) and Abdulfatai Buhari (APC-Oyo).

Senate after a voice vote amended the clause 52 to now empower INEC to determine mode of voting and transmission of results.

Other clauses that Senate rescinded its decision was on clauses 43, 63, and 87 which borders on mode of conduct of primary elections by political parties, ballot boxes and voting devices

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks, urged members of the Senate conference committee to take into consideration, the debates of senators during harmonisation of the bill with the House of Representatives Conference Committee.