The Nigerian Senate has affirmed the electronic transmission of election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
This decision, which had earlier been rejected by the Senate was contained in the Conference Committee report submitted to the chamber on Tuesday.
Recall that the House of Representatives had approved the transmission of election results electronically, however, the Senate rejected it.
The electronic transmission of election results which is a requirement in clause 53 of the Electoral amendment act empowers INEC to transmit results without subjecting their discretion to any other organ as was firstly captured that generated controversy.
At the Committee of the Whole chaired by the president, Ahmad Lawan, amended Clause 52(2) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill reads, “Subject to section 63 of this Bill, voting at an election and transmission of results under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which may include electronic voting.”
Clause 87(1) of the Electoral Amendment Bill, which was also passed declares, A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Bill shall hold direct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which shall be monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission.”
Meanwhile, before the adoption in the Committee of the whole, Senator Adamu Aliero, ex-governor of Kebbi State in his assent enjoined Senators to support the amendment as he noted that “this is a move that will deepen our democracy and a move that will make the electorate vote according to their conscience.”
On his part, Senator Smart Adeyemi representing Kogi West in opposition to the amendment on clause 87 which deals with direct primaries of political parties affirmed that certain political parties lack the capacity to organize direct primaries.
Senator Michael Bamidele representing Ekiti Central Senatorial district affirmed that every member of a political party should have the right to vote for their aspirants.
According to him, “I support this motion and like to mention specifically that in clause 87 that every card-carrying member of any political party should be able to vote and it is a way of giving power back to the people.
“This is not about any political party, every political party will enjoy this, therefore, let every party member have the opportunity to vote who they wanted.”
Senator Abdulfatai Buhari representing Oyo North corroborated in his submission, saying those opposed to direct primaries were afraid, wondering that if a contestant was as popular as he thinks, then he or she needed not to be afraid.
“Let’s practice democracy in accordance with the global best practices. I see no reason why anybody should be afraid of direct primaries as it goes to solve the problems of aspirants.”
