Abuja: In a dramatic reversal, the Senate on Tuesday rescinded its earlier decision on Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act, approving the electronic transmission of election results.
The chamber had previously passed the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill on Feb. 4, retaining Clause 60(3) of the principal law with the word “transfer,” a move that sparked nationwide heated debate.
At Tuesday’s emergency plenary, Chief Whip Sen. Mohammed Monguno sought Senate approval to rescind his earlier motion, citing fresh issues requiring legislative reconsideration. Minority Leader Sen. Abba Moro seconded the motion.
Monguno explained: “Upon careful examination of the bill, fresh issues have emerged in respect of Clause 60(3), requiring further legislative consideration for smooth, transparent elections. The controversy generated by my earlier motion has led me to rescind it.”
Following deliberations, lawmakers amended Clause 60(3) to mandate electronic transmission of results from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), after EC8A forms are signed and stamped by presiding officers and party agents.
The amendment further provides that if electronic transmission fails due to communication issues, the signed EC8A form shall serve as the primary source for collation and declaration of results.
The amended Clause 60(3) now reads:
“Results shall be transmitted electronically from each polling unit to IReV. Such transmission shall be done after the prescribed EC8A has been signed and stamped by the presiding officer and party agents present at the polling unit. Provided that if electronic transmission fails as a result of communication failure, the result contained in form EC8A signed by the presiding officer and/or countersigned by the polling agents shall, in such a case, be the primary source of collation and declaration of results.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio thereafter named a conference committee, chaired by Simon Lalong (APC–Plateau South), to harmonise the Electoral Act for presidential assent.
