After initial refusal and public outcry, The Senate and the House of Representatives have passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and approved the electronic transmission of results.
The approval was given on Tuesday upon return to the plenary after a three-week recess by lawmakers.
A seven-man conference committee had been constituted by the Upper chamber to meet with members of the House of Representatives Conference Committee and harmonise the differences in the Senate and House versions of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
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The Senate had earlier decided that INEC may consider the electronic transmission of results “provided national [network] coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure” by the Nigerian Communications Commission and approved by the National Assembly.
However, on October 12, the Senate had bowed to pressure and giving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the sole power to determine the mode of transmission of results.
Under the new amendment, Clause 52 (2) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, was resolved that “voting at an election and transmission of results under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission, which may include electronic voting”.
The bill also mandates political parties to hold only direct primaries for candidates seeking elective positions – against what was passed earlier.
The direct primary election is the mode of election where all members of a political party participate in the choice of its candidates to stand in the main election.
Shortly after the Senate’s approval, the House Of Representatives also passed the bill, completing the process of amending the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
The House is expected to approve the report after which a copy will be transmitted to the president for.
