UPDATED: Electoral Act: Senate in rowdy session over move to rescind vote on electronic transmission

The Senate on Tuesday descended into a rowdy session after some lawmakers protested a move to rescind an earlier decision rejecting mandatory electronic transmission of election results.

The commotion broke out shortly after the Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno, moved a motion during an emergency plenary seeking to rescind the Senate’s previous resolution and amend the Electoral Act to accommodate mandatory electronic transmission of results.

Mr Monguno, who represents Borno North Senatorial District, said the need to rescind the earlier decision was informed by the desire to ensure that the Electoral Act reflects the wishes of the Nigerian people.

The clause under debate provides that presiding officers shall electronically transmit results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IREV). It further stipulates that where electronic transmission fails or becomes impossible, Form EC8A shall serve as the primary means of result collation.

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However, several senators objected to the provision, leading to heated exchanges, shouting, and disorder in the chamber, which temporarily disrupted proceedings.

Amid the heated exchanges, the Abia South Senator, Eyinnaya Abaribe, repeatedly insisted that the motion be determined by a two-thirds majority rather than a simple voice vote.

After calm was restored in the chamber, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, asked Mr Abaribe whether he still wished for the amended provision to be subjected to a two-thirds vote.

Mr Abaribe subsequently withdrew his demand, apparently recognising that even if the motion were subjected to a two-thirds vote, senators from the ruling party, who constitute more than two-thirds of the chamber, would likely prevail.

READ ALSO: Electoral Act: Peter Obi leads protesters to NASS, demands mandatory electronic transmission of results

Mr Akpabio then put the motion to a voice vote, which was overwhelmingly supported by the majority of senators present.

He thereafter announced that the Senate had rescinded its earlier decision rejecting mandatory electronic transmission of election results, replacing the clause to accommodate the electronic transmission of results.

However, the provision comes with a caveat which prescribes that in the event of internet failure, Form EC8A will serve as the primary means of result collation.