The Senate Minority Caucus on Thursday dismissed widespread media reports that the Senate rejected the electronic transmission of election results, insisting that the provision was duly passed in line with the 2022 Electoral Act.
The clarification came a day after public backlash followed reports that lawmakers had thrown out proposals on electronic transmission of results and a 10-year ban on vote buyers and other electoral offenders during consideration of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
Speaking to journalists, former Senate Minority Leader Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the caucus was compelled to address what he described as a “widespread misunderstanding” of Wednesday’s plenary proceedings.
“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 as provided for in the 2022 Electoral Act.”
He explained that the Senate, in fact, passed the electronic transmission of results, a position he said was also clearly stated by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.
Abaribe stressed that lawmakers hold a public trust that requires clarity when their actions are misconstrued. “We came here under the trust of our senatorial districts. When it appears that our actions have been misunderstood, it becomes necessary to clarify exactly what happened,” he said.
Tracing the legislative process, Abaribe said the decision followed extensive work by a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on electoral matters, which held several retreats within and outside Abuja.
According to him, the retreats involved the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society organisations. “At the end of those retreats, everyone agreed that electronic transmission of results was the way to go. That position was reflected in the reports presented to both chambers,” he said.
He noted that the process also included public hearings, debates and consultations, describing electronic transmission as a “core, non-negotiable provision” of the bill.
Following the submission of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters’ report, Abaribe said an Ad hoc Committee was constituted to further review it. The committee, chaired by Senator Sadiq Umar, later presented its findings at a closed-door executive session.
“The closed session was held to tidy up all outstanding issues so that when we returned to plenary, the bill could be passed without rancour,” he explained.
Abaribe said the Senate Electoral Committee, the Ad hoc Committee and senators at the executive session unanimously agreed on electronic transmission of results as contained in Section 65 of the bill.
“At plenary yesterday, we passed the electronic transmission of results. However, because of movement and noise in the chamber, it appeared to some that something went wrong,” he said.
He added that senators later sought clarification and were reassured, noting that video records also show the Senate President affirming that electronic transmission of results was passed.
Abaribe further explained that a harmonisation committee was set up to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, particularly on timelines.
“The role of the harmonisation committee is to reconcile differences between both versions and produce a single document for presidential assent,” he said.
However, he clarified that harmonisation has not commenced because the Senate has yet to adopt its Votes and Proceedings. “After plenary yesterday, we adjourned without adopting the votes and proceedings. Under our rules, harmonisation cannot begin without that step,” he explained.
He assured that the Senate would reconvene to adopt the Votes and Proceedings, stressing that it must clearly reflect the provision on electronic transmission of results.
“Only after that can the harmonisation committee meet. At harmonisation, you either adopt the House version or the Senate version — nothing else,” Abaribe said.
Reiterating the Senate’s position, he said: “What the Senate passed was the electronic transmission of results in real time.”
“This is not a party matter,” Abaribe added. “Senators across party lines agree on this because transparent, free, and fair elections are the foundation of democracy. If results are not transparent or the process is distorted, then it is not a democracy.”
He also defended the use of an Ad hoc Committee alongside the standing committee, explaining that the Senate reserves the right to regulate its internal procedures, with committee members present to clarify issues during deliberations.
The caucus concluded by insisting that no harmonisation can lawfully take place until the Senate formally adopts its Votes and Proceedings confirming the passage of electronic transmission of election results.
