Senators clash over move to involve NCC in e-transmission of election results

The senate session on Thursday turned rowdy over the electoral act amendment bill.

A heated argument broke out when Sabi Abdullahi, senate deputy whip, proposed an amendment to the electoral bill.

Abdullahi proposed that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) must certify that national coverage is adequate and secure while the national assembly must approve before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can transmit election results.

But Albert Bassey, senator representing Akwa Ibom north-east, kicked against the idea and said the initial proposal made by the committee should be retained.

The upper legislative chamber subsequently moved into a closed session amid the back and forth over the matter.

The senate and house of representatives had, on Wednesday, received the report on the electoral act amendment bill.

The bill was laid before the upper and lower legislative chambers after the chairmen of the INEC committees moved a motion on it.

TheCable had reported how the national assembly leadership had earlier blocked the proposed electronic transmission of election results.

Section 50 (2) of the bill was modified by the leadership of both chambers to read: “Voting in an election under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission, which may include electronic voting, PROVIDED that the Commission shall not transmit results of elections by electronic means.”

However, in the latest copy seen by TheCable, the clause had been removed.