Senate passes Electoral Act amendment bill, rules out real-time transmission of results

The senate on Wednesday passed the Electoral Act amendment bill after a five-hour clause-by-clause deliberation.

The bill was approved by the committee of the whole following consideration and adoption of its 155 clauses.

Lawmakers amended some of the provisions, while the majority of the clauses were retained as originally proposed.

One of the amendments reduced the timeline for the Independent National Electoral Commission to publish a notice of election from 360 days to 180 days.

The senate also rulde out real-time transmission of election results and retained the provision for electronic transfer of results as provided for in the 2002 Electoral Act.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that a joint committee of the senate and house of representatives will meet to harmonise the Act and send it to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

Niyi Adegbonmire, chairman of the senate committee on judiciary, human rights and legal matters, will lead the harmonisation committee from the upper legislative chamber.

Other members are Tahir Monguno, Adamu Aliero, Orji Kalu, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Aminu Abass, Tokunbo Abiru, and Simon Lalong.