…Electronic transmission, manipulation of results, ballot box snatching, top recommendations
…No need to rush the report — Akpabio
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- THE Senate has deferred the consideration of the report of the committee on electoral matters to enable lawmakers study the report, following the absence of the Chairman, Senator Simon Lalong, APC, Plateau South.
The consideration of the report was slated in yesterday’s Order Paper, shortly after the distribution of the 238-page document to all the senators at the hallowed chamber.
When it was time to consider the report, it became imperative to postpone it because chairman of the committee was absent.
However, the recommendations shall be considered by the Senate at plenary today when the report is presented and debated clause by clause.
Decisions to this effect were taken by the Senate at plenary yesterday when its Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, informed his colleagues that the report, billed for consideration, should be circulated to all senators for scrutiny ahead of clause by clause consideration today.
Bamidele, as approved by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, also informed the senators that a brief closed door session would be held on the report before general consideration at the committee of the whole .
Bamidele had said that the chairman of the committee, Senator Lalong, was not immediately available.
He said: “But copies have been circulated. We will allow senators to go home with the report and study it and when we come tomorrow, we will hold a brief closed-door session and debate the critical clauses of the bill and pass it”.
Consequently, Akpabio appealed to all senators to study copies of the report given to them ahead of final consideration at plenary today.
As Senate considers the report today, electronic transmission of results from polling units to INEC Result Viewing Portal, IREV, after counting of votes; checking manipulation of results and ballot box snatching are among major recommendations made for the proposed Electoral Act for the 2027 general elections .
A copy of the report obtained by Vanguard showed that on page 45, a new subsection (3) was introduced into the 2022 Electoral Act ( Amendment) Bill 2025 , to check manipulation of results and ballot box snatching .
The section states: “ INEC shall electronically transmit election results from each polling unit to IREV portal in real time and such transmission shall be done simultaneously with physical collation of results “ .
In the report , a new subsection 2 was also introduced to section 77 to make the offence of failure of Presiding Officers to sign and stamp ballot papers and results announced by them punishable.
Section 47(2) and (3) were also amended by substituting the words “ smart card reader “ with the words “ Bimodal Voter Accreditation System”
Also, the Senate committee on electoral matters in the report, amended section 54(1) to check abuse of electoral process by those who take advantage of visually impaired and incapacitated voters by barring any political party agent, candidate or official from accompanying such voters into voting compartment.
It also recommended more stringent measures against buying and selling of voters’ cards by any agent of political parties by increasing N500,000.00 in section 22 to N5, 000.000.00million.
In the report, the objectives of the bill are “ bring about improvement in the electoral process by ensuring transparency, efficiency and integrity of the electoral system.
“Ensure that there is free and fair competitions, where all political parties are given equal opportunities to compete favourably in elections.
‘’Ensure that outcomes of elections reflect the will of the people, reduce electoral malpractices by setting stricter punitive measures to serve as deterrence to electoral malpractices; enhance voters’ confidence and participation in elections, thereby reducing voters apathy; and further strengthen the independence of INEC by insulating it from incessant and unnecessary interference from the government and political parties, etc.”
According to the committee’s report, the findings read: “That stakeholders were unanimous in their support for the the bill, as its passage will address most of the inherent lacuna expressed in the course of implementing the extant Act
“That the current legal and administrative reforms proposed in the bill are laudable and commendable, as they are designed to improve the integrity and credibility of the electoral process through strategic and operational policy actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
“ That by enacting the proposed legislation, the 10th National Assembly will bequeath to Nigerians an enduring legacy of electoral integrity for a sustainable democratic practice, which recognises and upholds the rule of law:
“That the proposed legislative framework is a direct response to the challenges that undermined public confidence and transparency, despite the progressive steps recorded in the implementation of the extant Act, hence the need for the National Assembly to enact this proposed legislation;
“That one of the salient attributes of the proposed legislation is the aspect that provides legal and policy justifications, designed to promote transparency, inclusivity and technological advancement in Nigeria’s electoral process. This will undoubtedly streamline our electoral laws in line with global best practices.’’
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