The Nigerian Senate had to abandon its opposition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) transmitting election results electronically in deference to the overwhelming turn of events. In July, 52 senators had voted for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to first certify that nationwide Internet coverage was guaranteed for electronic transmission of results to be carried out. That condition stripped INEC of its powers as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution. The Senate position contrasted with that of the House of Representatives that permitted INEC to deploy technology during elections “where practicable.”
The INEC had repeatedly stated that electronic transmission of election results was possible nationwide. During plenary on October 12, the Senate ruled, however, that the electoral umpire would have to decide how to transmit election results–whether manually or electronically. Senate Leader Yahaya Abdullahi moved the motion for amendments to the electoral amendment bill. Subsequently, four clauses in the bill were approved by the Senate in “the committee of the whole” following a voice vote call by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
The senators had been widely criticized in the mainstream and social media for attempting to stonewall electronic transmission of election results. The national consensus has been that electronic transmission of election results is capable of making Nigeria’s elections more transparent and, therefore, difficult to manipulate, while strengthening the democratic process in Africa’s most populous nation.
It is also agreed that electronic conduct of elections and transmission of results come as a package. This is a case pushed by former INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega. According to him, politicians opposing electronic transmission of poll result fear losing.
It is good that reason and the national interest have prevailed over self interest in the Senate. In the first place, there is nothing in the Constitution or the Electoral Act that says the INEC must seek parliamentary approval to use technology to make the conduct of elections more credible and acceptable. On the contrary, the law allows the election body to do just that. The House of Reps was knowledgeable and wise enough to know that. It is good that the Senate has now come round to accept this too.
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