Senate finally passes electoral bill with conditions

The Senate on Thursday passed the electoral act amendment bill with some conditions regarding electronic transmission of election results.
Even as it okayed electronic transmission of election results, it resolved that the Nigerian Communications Commission must certify that national coverage would be adequate and secure while the National Assembly must approve before the Independent National Electoral Commission could adopt it.
The bill was passed for third reading after Kabiru Gaya, chairman of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission, presented the report at plenary on Thursday.

The issues of transmitting election results electronically and spending limits for candidates of political parties have generated controversy.
The National Assembly had reportedly blocked the transmission of election results through electronic means in clause 50(2) of the bill.
The action drew criticism and public outrage, making the lawmakers to restore the electronic transmission clause.
During the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, the Deputy Senate Whip, Sabi Abdullahi, proposed that the NCC should certify that national coverage would be adequate and secure while the National Assembly must approve before the INEC could transmit election results.
But Albert Bassey, senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East, kicked against the idea, saying the initial proposal made by the committee should be retained.
“The commission may transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when practicable,” section 50(3) of the report reads.
The Senate eventually retained Abdullahi’s amendment after a 52-28 vote.
The remaining 28 legislators were absent.