Senate President Justifies Removal of Mandatory Electronic Result Transmission
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has publicly defended the National Assembly's controversial decision to eliminate the mandatory requirement for real-time electronic transmission of election results from the amended Electoral Act. Akpabio emphasized that this move was deliberate and grounded in practical considerations regarding Nigeria's electoral integrity.
Legal Concerns Over Network Failures
During a recent book launch event, Akpabio detailed that lawmakers specifically dropped the "real-time" provision during the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill. He explained that this action was taken to prevent potential legal complications that could emerge from network failures during elections. According to Akpabio, making real-time transmission compulsory could open the floodgates to numerous court cases if technical glitches occur, thereby undermining the electoral process.
The Senate President clarified that the intention was not to oppose electronic transmission itself, but rather to avoid rigid wording that might destabilize elections. He stressed that the responsibility for determining how election results are transmitted should rest with the Independent National Electoral Commission, noting that INEC is best placed to decide the most suitable mode based on prevailing conditions.
Reference to U.S. Election and Warnings
Akpabio referenced the 2000 United States presidential election between George Bush and Al Gore, pointing out that even advanced democracies have struggled with electronic voting and result transmission. He warned that similar scenarios in Nigeria could easily trigger unrest and allegations of fraud, highlighting the need for a cautious approach to electoral reforms.
Public Backlash and Activist Response
Meanwhile, the Senate's amendments to the Electoral Act have sparked widespread public debate across Nigeria. While several sections of the law were revised, the removal of mandatory electronic transmission of results has drawn the most criticism from various quarters.
Political parties, civil society organizations, and social media users have expressed deep concern over this decision, calling on lawmakers to reverse it. Some activist groups have escalated their response by calling for protests at the National Assembly. A coalition under the banner "Enough is Enough" is actively mobilizing supporters using the hashtag #OccupyNASS to voice their opposition.
In a related development, Akpabio criticized a Civil Society Organization leader who appeared on television to condemn the Senate, accusing him of hypocrisy. The Senate President questioned the motives of such critics, suggesting they benefit financially from the very institution they attack, and emphasized that the Electoral Act amendment process is ongoing and not yet complete.
