Opposition lawmakers stage walk out as Reps pass electoral act amendment bill

By our reporter| The house of representatives on Friday passed the electoral amendment bill, after opposition lawmakers walked out of the heated session at the national assembly chambers.

The house before passing the bill, stepped down the controversial section 52(3) of the bill which deals with the electronic transmission of election results.

The new amendment provides that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may consider electronic transmission so far as the national network coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) and approved by the National Assembly.

Opposition lawmakers majorly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) walked out of the session as they insisted that the clause on electronic voting was never carried.

They threatened to disrupt the proceedings when the House resumes from break.

The lower legislative chamber had on Thursday, failed to reach a consensus over the much-debated clause after the Deputy Speaker, Idris Wale ruled against the electronic transmission of election results.

Subsequently, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the NCC would be present on Friday to give further clarifications on the Electoral Act with a major focus on section 52(3).

The NCC which later honoured the invitation of the House of Reps explained that it cannot guarantee a 100% per cent safety of results for the electronic transmission of results, explaining that no system is completely free from hackers.

NCC’s Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management), Adeleke Adewolu admitted that no system can guarantee a 100 percent shield from hacking.

The NCC boss also stated that elections results can only be transmitted by a 3G network, noting that 50 percent of the country has 3G coverage.