Senate Approved Electronic Transmission of Election Results, Abaribe Insists

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has insisted that the Senate approved the electronic transmission of election results in real time, rejecting reports suggesting otherwise. Speaking at a media briefing at the National Assembly on Thursday, alongside 13 serving senators, he said the issue had raised concerns about his integrity.

Abaribe said the Senate deliberately approved the electronic transmission of results and not the transfer of results as contained in the 2022 Electoral Act. He explained that the decision followed extensive consultations involving the Independent National Electoral Commission and civil society organisations, after which both chambers agreed on electronic transmission.

According to the senator, an ad hoc committee reviewed the report, which was considered during a closed-door session. He said senators reached a consensus on electronic transmission and that the position was also passed at plenary, despite controversy during proceedings and confirmation by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the floor.

Also Read: Senate passes Electoral Act amendment rejects  mandatory electronic transmission to IReV portal

Abaribe said the legislative process is not yet concluded, noting that the Senate has not adopted its Votes and Proceedings, a step required before harmonisation with the House of Representatives. He added that confusion arose during clause-by-clause consideration when the word transmission was replaced with transfer, following interventions by Senate Chief Whip Tahir Mongunu, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and the ruling of the Senate President.