Senate didn’t reject electronic transmission of results – Akpabio
Senate President Clarifies Vote on Electronic Transmission of Election Results
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has addressed recent misconceptions regarding the legislative body’s stance on the electronic transmission of election results during discussions on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill. He asserted that the Senate did not reject provisions for electronic transmission, contrary to reports circulating on social media.
Akpabio’s remarks came after the Senate concluded a prolonged session lasting approximately four and a half hours. The consideration of the contentious amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3, began around 2:00 p.m. and wrapped up just after 6:00 p.m., sparking online speculation that lawmakers had voted against mandatory electronic results transmission.
Earlier accounts suggested that the Senate defeated a proposal requiring presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results electronically from each polling unit to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal in real time after certifying the results. These reports indicated that the Senate preferred to retain existing provisions, which authorize that results, including the total number of accredited voters, be transferred according to methods prescribed by the Commission.
In response, Akpabio labeled these interpretations as misleading, reaffirming that the electronic transmission option remains intact in the law.
“Social media is already awash with reports claiming that the Senate has rejected electronic transmission of results. That is not true. What we did was retain the electronic transmission provision that has been in the Act and was used in 2022,” he stated.
He further encouraged his colleagues to refrain from believing misleading narratives and promised to provide the Senate’s final votes and proceedings for those seeking clarification.
“This Senate under my leadership has not rejected electronic transmission of results. It is in my interest, as a participant in the next election, for this to be done,” Akpabio added. “We have retained what was in the previous provision by way of amendment. The previous law already accounted for electronic transmission, and it remains part of our law. We cannot afford to go backwards.”
