By Abiola Olawale
Amidst growing public concern and viral reports, the Senate Minority Caucus, has clarified that the Senate has not rejected the electronic transmission of election results.
Speaking to journalists, former Senate Minority Leader Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, addressed what he described as a “misconception” of the Senate’s recent deliberations on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
Abaribe emphasized that the goal is to strengthen the legal framework for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), not to strip it of technological advancements.
The controversy sparked following a heated plenary session where lawmakers debated the logistics of real-time result uploading.
Clarifying the Senate’s position, Senator Abaribe noted that the legislative intent is to ensure that the process remains legally bulletproof and technologically feasible across all 36 states.
“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 what the Senate passed was the electronic transmission of results, a position which, according to him, was also clarified by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio during plenary.
Abaribe stressed that senators hold public trust derived from the confidence reposed in them by their constituencies, adding that the caucus considered it necessary to address the issue in the interest of transparency.
“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.
He outlined the legislative process that led to the decision, beginning with the joint committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives on electoral matters.
According to him, the joint committee held several retreats within and outside Abuja, with the participation of the Independent National Electoral Commission 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 involved extensive debates, public hearings, and consultations, describing electronic transmission of results as a core, non-negotiable provision.
Abaribe assured that the Senate would reconvene to adopt the votes and proceedings, insisting that it must accurately 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,” he said.
He reiterated that 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.”
