Reworked Electoral Act Bill: Nwaebonyi, Dickson differ on e-Transmission

He expressed shock that while the House of Representatives passed the joint committee report without alteration, the Senate initially delayed and later replaced a crucial clause on electronic transmission with what he described as a weaker provision.

“That development shocked me, though I was not surprised when civil society organisations raised the alarm and Nigerians expressed outrage,” he said.

Although the Senate restored the clause during the emergency sitting, Dickson said the inclusion of a proviso allowing manual results to serve as the primary source where electronic transmission fails remained a major concern.

Dickson warned that such an exception could be abused, arguing that manipulation of results often occurs at collation centres rather than polling units.

“Exceptions should never become the norm,” he said, calling on the Conference Committee to adopt the House version in its entirety.

He added that INEC had repeatedly assured lawmakers of its capacity to deploy technology for nationwide electronic transmission, stressing that once transmission is made compulsory by law, it becomes the commission’s responsibility to ensure compliance.

Dickson urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and engaged in the democratic process, insisting that credible elections require constant citizen participation and oversight.

Nwaebonyi: electronic transmission compulsory

Senator Nwaebonyi offered a robust defence of the Senate’s position, saying critics were misrepresenting the intent and effect of the amendment.

Speaking during a television interview, the Ebonyi lawmaker said the 10th Senate had, for the first time, explicitly inserted electronic transmission of results into Nigeria’s electoral law, making it mandatory.

“The word ‘shall’ makes it compulsory,” he said, explaining that presiding officers are now legally bound to transmit results electronically after completing Form EC8A.

According to Nwaebonyi, the amendment removes any discretion previously exercised by presiding officers and gives courts the power to recognise results uploaded to the iREV portal in the event of disputes.

He said the proviso on manual results was only intended to address situations of genuine network failure or technical glitches, arguing that elections should not be invalidated solely because results were not uploaded in real time.

“If the result didn’t report at the iREV within record time due to network problems, that shouldn’t negate the result,” he said, drawing parallels with delayed banking transactions that are eventually completed.

Nwaebonyi described the amendment as a historic step towards transparency, noting that electronically transmitted results would be less susceptible to manipulation than manual records.

He also highlighted the role of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in checking fraud, saying the law already mandates cancellation of results where accredited voters do not tally with votes cast.

“We are going to come up with a very solid law that will guarantee free, fair and transparent elections,” he said.

‘Senate acted in Nigerians’ best interest’

Backing the Senate’s approach, House of Representatives spokesman and member representing Ekiti North I Federal Constituency, Akin Rotimi, said the upper chamber acted in the best interest of Nigerians.

Rotimi said the amendment followed due parliamentary process, stressing that deliberations at both committee and plenary levels were constitutionally required.

“The Senate has acted in the best interest of Nigerians. It is part of the legislative process,” he said, adding that returning to plenary to review committee recommendations allowed lawmakers to raise concerns and refine provisions.

ADC faults provison

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) reversed its earlier support for the Electoral Amendment Bill, rejecting the Senate version over what it described as ambiguity and loopholes.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said its initial endorsement was based on early reports suggesting that the Senate had guaranteed real-time electronic transmission of results.

However, Abdullahi said subsequent details revealed discretionary clauses capable of weakening electoral integrity.

“Any provision that introduces ambiguity or discretion around transmission and collation of results fundamentally undermines the integrity of the process,” the ADC said, adding that credible elections depend on unambiguous legal guarantees.