The Senate ruled out the possibility of having results transmitted electronically when it voted that the Nigerian Communications Commission, with National Assembly approval, would determine whether the Independent National Electoral Commission could transmit results electronically or not.
The Senate on Thursday, passed the long-awaited Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 after division among its members on electronic transmission of results.
- INEC announces date for 2023 general elections
- Take your health seriously, Don tells religious leaders
- “Kanu working for Islamic terrorists,” How Nigeria deceived Kenya to arrest IPOB leader”
The approval came following an amendment to Clause 52(3) by Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC, Niger North) during consideration of a report by the Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The amendment was seconded by Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South).
The Committee in its recommendation initially prescribed that, “The Commission (INEC) may transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when practicable.”
This, however, was amended by the Deputy Whip, Senator Sabi Abdullahi to read, “The Commission may consider electronic transmission of results, provided the national coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the National Communications Commission (NCC) and approved by the National Assembly.”
At the end of the physical voting, which lasted for about 40 minutes, a total of 80 Senators voted, out of which 52 voted for the amendment made by Abdullahi and 28 voted for original provision of the clause.
As announced by the Clerk, 28 Senators were absent during the division and voting session.
While 51 out of the 52 Senators who voted for the amendment belonged to the APC, 26 out of the 28 Senators who voted against the amendment belonged to the PDP, indicating party lines of voting.
Those who voted against electronic transmission of results
Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central)
Solomon Adeola (Lagos West)
Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North)
Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central)
Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North)
Francis Alimikhena (Edo North)
Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central)
Degi Eremienyo (Bayelsa East)
Robert Boroffice (Ondo North)
Basiru Ajibola (Osun Central)
Frank Ibezim (Imo North)
Adelere Oriolowo (Osun West).
Adamu Abdullahi (Nasarawa West)
Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa North)
Akwashiki Godiya (Nasarawa South)
Mohammed Sani (Niger East)
Abdullahi Aliyu Sabi (Niger North)
Bima Enagi ( Niger South)
Dimka Ayuba (Plateau Central)
Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East)
Yusuf Yusuf (Taraba Central)
Isa Shuaibu Lau (Taraba North)
Bomai Ibrahim Mohammed (Yobe South)
Sahabi Ya’u (Zamfara North)
Lawali Hassan Anka (Zamfara West).
Ishaku Elisha (Adamawa North)
Dahiru Aishatu Binani (Adamawa Central)
Jika Daudu Haliru (Bauchi Central)
Bukachuwa Adamu Muhammad (Bauchi North)
Abubakar Kyari (Borno North)
Shettima Kashim (Borno Central)
Ali Ndume (Borno South)
Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central)
Amos Bulus (Gombe South)
Alkali Saidu (Gombe North)
Hadeija Hassan Ibrahim (Jigawa North East)
Abdul-Kwari Suleiman (Kaduna North)
Uba Sani (Kaduna Central)
Kabiru Gaya (Kano South)
Ahmad Babba Kaita (Katsina North)
Mundiya Bello (Katsina South)
Abdullahi Barkiya (Katsina Central)
Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North)
Abdullahi Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central)
Oseni Yakubu (Kogi Central)
Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West)
Isah Jibrin (Kogi East)
Lola Ashiru (Kwara South)
Yahaya Oloriegbe (Kwara Central).
A PDP Senator, Stephen Odey (Cross River North) also voted against e-transmission of report. It is unclear if his decision was influenced by the recent defection of the governor of the state, Prof. Ben Ayade to the APC. A source disclosed that Odey is expected to announce his defection to APC when the Senate resumes in September.
