Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has dismissed reports that the Senate rejected electronic transmission of election results, describing the claims as “incorrect”.
“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,” Abaribe said.
He explained that the Senate passed the provision for electronic transmission, a position confirmed by the Senate President during plenary.
According to Abaribe on Thursday, he said the senators acted in the public interest, noting that their actions had been misunderstood.
“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.
The senator outlined the legislative process, which involved a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives, retreats with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), consultations with civil society organisations, and extensive public hearings.
“At the end of those retreats, everyone agreed that electronic transmission of results was the way to go,” he said.
Following the submission of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters’ report, an Ad hoc Committee chaired by Senator Sadiq Umar reviewed the findings in a closed-door session.
The committee’s work, according to Abaribe, ensured that the bill could be passed without rancour.
He clarified that electronic transmission was unanimously agreed upon, contained in Section 65 of the bill, and that any confusion during plenary was due to movement and noise in the chamber.
Video records, he noted, confirm the Senate President affirming the passage.
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Abaribe further explained that a harmonisation committee is yet to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of the bill, noting that harmonisation cannot start until the Senate adopts the votes and proceedings.
“Only after that can the harmonisation committee meet. At harmonisation, you either adopt the House version or the Senate version — nothing else,” he said.
He stressed that the electronic transmission of results is a non-partisan, core provision for ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections. “Senators across party lines agree on this because transparent elections are the foundation of democracy,” Abaribe added.
The senator also noted that the Senate has the right to regulate its internal processes, which explains the formation of the Ad hoc Committee, and assured that due process will be followed to ensure the final document reflects the legislature’s will.