Electoral Act amendment: Lawmaking not like eating Amala – Senate spokesperson
Senate Defends Amendments to Electoral Act as Necessary for Nigeria
The Nigerian Senate has issued a defense of the recent amendments to the Electoral Act, asserting that the changes were made with the best interests of the nation in mind after thorough deliberation.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu emphasized the legislative body’s careful approach to the amendment process. “Anyone who loves Nigeria will know that what we have done today is the best for Nigeria,” he stated.
Adaramodu dismissed the backlash from critics, asserting that lawmakers are not swayed by public opinion. “We don’t play to the gallery,” he remarked, adding that the concerns of a vocal minority do not dictate legislative decisions. “The principles of lawmaking are not just something like eating amala,” he said, referring to a popular Nigerian dish.
The Senate’s amendments, approved during an emergency plenary session on Tuesday, include provisions for the electronic transmission of election results while addressing potential technical challenges. This decision reverses an earlier stance that rejected the mandatory electronic reporting from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal.
The initial rejection sparked widespread criticism from opposition leaders, civil society organizations, and various stakeholders. However, the amended legislation allows for electronic result transmission, albeit without the term “real-time.” Lawmakers stipulated that in cases of internet failure, Form EC8A would remain the primary document for result collation.
In defending the legislative changes, Adaramodu highlighted the necessity for a comprehensive approach. “We don’t do something that we just wake up from impulse and say something is law. You have to be very thorough and painstaking,” he stated. He emphasized that any flaws in the process should not undermine public trust in the electoral system.
Adaramodu also characterized the diverse opinions surrounding the amendment as indicative of a healthy democratic process. “In Nigeria—and everywhere else where democracy is thriving—there will be shades of opinions and ideas, and we have to listen to all,” he concluded.
