SENATE REVERSES EARLIER STANCE, APPROVES ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF ELECTION RESULTS 

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday approved the Electronic Transmission of Results Bill, reversing its earlier position following intense pressure from civil society organisations and public criticism.

The bill was passed after a motion was raised under a point of order to rescind and amend a contentious provision in the earlier version. The amendment replaced the phrase “transfer of results” with “transmission of results,” a change advocates say is crucial for safeguarding the integrity of elections.

The motion was moved by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno.

The amendment, however, triggered a rowdy plenary session, as several senators openly opposed the motion, leading to heated exchanges on the Senate floor.

During the debate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) invoked Order 72 of the Senate Standing Rules, calling for individual voting on the motion. He later withdrew the request, allowing proceedings to continue.

Subsequently, Senator Diket Plang moved a motion that the earlier votes and proceedings be adopted and approved as amended. The motion was seconded by Senator Seriake Dickson.

After the motion was put to a voice vote, Senate President Godswill Akpabio declared it passed.

Akpabio also announced that the membership of the conference committee on the bill had been expanded from nine to twelve members. He named Senator Simon Lalong as chairman of the committee, along with other members.

The Senate President expressed optimism that all outstanding issues would be resolved promptly, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to assent to the bill before the end of the month.

In a related development, Akpabio read a letter from President Tinubu seeking Senate confirmation of non-career ambassadors.

The request was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which is expected to report back to the Senate within one week.