Electoral Bill: Reps in rowdy session over e-voting, transmission of results

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives yesterday had a rowdy session which almost degenerated into fisticuffs as lawmakers engaged in a deafening shouting match.
The bone of contention was the disagreement over clause 52 of the Electoral Amendment Bill which states that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can consider the use of electronic voting and transmission of election results.
Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase, who presided of the Committee of the Whole was accused by some lawmakers of deliberate attempt to forestall the electronic transmission of results as contained in the clause by ruling in favour of the nays when the ayes glaringly were in the majority.
As the situation was getting out of control, Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, had no choice but to take over the conduct of proceedings and abruptly adjourned plenary to Friday 10am.
He also announced that the INEC Chairman, Prof Yakubu Mamudu and the Nigerian Communication Commission should come and brief the House on the issue at stake..
The clause-by-clause consideration of the Electoral Bill report was smoothly progressing until clause 52 on the report was mentioned, when Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu proposed an amendment to the effect that the “conduct of election and transmission of results shall be done electronically”.
The amendment was seconded by Deputy Whip, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, after which Deputy Speaker Wase who chaired the committee of the whole put the question for voice votes with majority members shouting thunderous ayes but the deputy gave the nod to the nays .
Wase had made moves after the session had reverted to plenary from the Committee of the Whole, to report what transpired but stirred the ire of members when he added the controversial clause as what had been adopted. The shouting bouts between opposing members almost degenerated into physical attacks.
His ruling that the “nays have it” against the thunderous ayes instantly threw the House into uproar.
At this point, the Speaker was forced to take over the session and adjourned the sitting in the middle of confusion as members were shouting “Wase come down” which prompted lawmakers to fight across party lines.
A copy of the draft bill sighted by Peoples Daily reporter did not make the electronic voting and transfer of election results compulsory but gives discretion to the INEC, in section 52(2) on the matter.