Electoral Act: With new amendment, nobody can rig election again – Sen Nwaebonyi
Senator Nwaebonyi: New Electoral Act Amendment Addresses Election Rigging
Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, representing the Ebonyi North Senatorial District, asserted that the recent amendments to the Electoral Act by the National Assembly have effectively eliminated previous vulnerabilities that allowed for electoral manipulation.
In an interview on ARISE Television on Wednesday, Nwaebonyi emphasized that the updated legislation mandates electronic transmission of election results, declaring that the revised law holds greater authority than existing guidelines set forth by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The new arrangement means that nobody can rig elections in Nigeria,” said Nwaebonyi, highlighting the Senate’s support for the amendment.
He pointed out a significant difference between the 2022 Electoral Act and the latest changes, specifically regarding the legal requirement for electronic result transmission. According to Nwaebonyi, the National Assembly’s inclusion of this provision establishes it within the law itself, contrasting previous instances, such as the widely-discussed INEC versus Atiku case.
“The language has changed from ‘may’ to ‘shall,’ making the provision compulsory,” Nwaebonyi explained.
The senator further contended that the new Electoral Act supersedes any conflicting operational guidelines from INEC, including those related to the Result Viewing Portal (IREV).
“The Electoral Act is a legal statute enacted by Parliament, while the guidelines are issued by the agency. If conflicts arise, the Act prevails,” he stated.
Nwaebonyi expressed confidence that the amendment will transform the legal framework governing future electoral disputes, particularly concerning electronic results transmission.
“With these changes, nobody can rig elections in Nigeria,” he reiterated.
He acknowledged that the effectiveness of the reforms will rely on the diligence of political actors and stakeholders, urging all political players to remain vigilant.
The Senate convened on Tuesday for an emergency session in response to public concerns regarding earlier amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly those affecting the transmission of results and the functionality of INEC’s IREV portal.
