President Bola Tinubu is anticipated to sign the revised Electoral Act into law before the conclusion of this month, as disclosed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a crucial parliamentary session.
Urgent Harmonization Process Underway
Akpabio made this significant announcement on Tuesday, February 10, while addressing senators during an emergency plenary session. The Senate established a conference committee comprising twelve members to reconcile differences between their version of the bill and the one passed by the House of Representatives.
"I believe that if you are able to conclude within this, in the next few days or one week, the President should be able to sign this amended Electoral Bill into an Act of Parliament within this month of February," Akpabio informed his legislative colleagues. "So I wish you a worthy deliberation with your colleagues."
Committee Mandate and Timeline
The newly formed committee will engage with representatives from the House to harmonize both versions of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill. Once a unified draft is finalized, it will be forwarded to President Tinubu for his official assent.
Akpabio emphasized the urgency of this legislative task, stating clearly: "The conference committee, when you meet, you should recognize that this is a matter of urgency." He further explained that the committee's expansion resulted from consultations with Senate leadership to ensure proper alignment with the House of Representatives.
Background of Electoral Act Amendments
This emergency parliamentary session occurred amidst substantial public criticism regarding recent amendments to the Electoral Act. Particular controversy surrounded changes to Clause 60(3), which addresses the electronic transmission of election results.
Last week, the Senate rejected proposals that would have mandated real-time electronic transmission of results. Instead, legislators chose to maintain provisions from the 2022 Act that grant the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) discretion over transmission methods.
Public Response and Legislative Reversal
The Senate's initial position provoked strong reactions from opposition leaders and civil society organizations. Critics argued that eliminating the real-time requirement could potentially undermine electoral transparency and integrity. This disagreement led to organized protests at the National Assembly complex.
In response to mounting public pressure, the Senate reversed its earlier stance on Tuesday. Lawmakers approved electronic transmission of results, though they omitted the specific "real-time" clause. The revised legislation stipulates that where internet connectivity proves inadequate, Form EC8A will serve as the primary instrument for result collation.
Path Forward for Electoral Reform
If the harmonization process between both legislative chambers concludes within the projected timeframe, the amended Electoral Act could receive presidential assent before February ends. This development represents a significant step in Nigeria's ongoing electoral reform efforts, balancing technological advancement with practical implementation considerations.
The legislative process demonstrates how public engagement can influence parliamentary decisions, while the expedited timeline reflects the importance attached to electoral matters in Nigeria's democratic development.
