The Senate on Tuesday passed the 2021 Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which granted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the power to determine the mode of election result transmission. This followed the adoption and approval of the conference committee report on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. by the upper chamber.
The report was approved after a motion was moved by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi on Tuesday for the adoption of the report of the conference committee. The Senate and House of Representatives had in July passed different versions of the bill. In the version passed by the Senate, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was empowered to determine the electronic transmission of election results, while the House Representatives did not give such powers to the NCC in its version. The provision caused an outrage, with many calling on the Senate to follow the example of the House of Representatives which adopted the use of technology “where practicable.” In the conference committee report, both chambers of the National Assembly empowered the Independent National Electoral Commission to determine the best mode to transmit election results. The electoral commission will now have to decide how to transmit election results — either electronically or manually.
Also, in July, the Senate proposed either direct or indirect mode of party primary, the House of Representatives made direct primary mandatory for all parties. However, the conference committee report which was adopted and approved by the Senate, both chambers also approved that all political parties must use the direct primary mode in picking candidates. “It is imperative to point out that with the successful harmonization of this bill, a process that started from the 7th Assembly through to the 8th National Assembly has now been completed by the 9th National Assembly,” the Senate leader said. “The bill is now ready for passage and Presidential assent. “I am happy to state that most of what we call ‘citizens top priorities’ on the Electoral Act Amendment, including the use of technology have been addressed by the Electoral Bill, 2021,” Abdullahi said. A clean copy of the bill is expected to be produced and sent by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Amos Ojo to the President Muhammadu Buhari, for assent.
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