…Lawmakers voted 55–15 to retain manual transmission in cases where electronic systems fail.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Lawmakers Clash Over Senate-Backed Electoral Act Amendment as Reps Minority Stages Walkout, Police Disperse 2027 Protesters.
In a dramatic session marked by sharp exchanges and partisan divisions, the House adopted Clause 60(3), which allows both real-time electronic and manual transmission of results. Lawmakers also approved Clause 84, which addresses the method of nomination of candidates by political parties.
The decision followed weeks of political pressure on the House to align with the Senate’s position endorsing conditional electronic transmission rather than making it mandatory.
Controversy erupted during clause-by-clause consideration of the bill at the Committee of the Whole. An attempt by Bamidele Salam to delete the provision permitting manual transmission was defeated in a voice vote, with the “nays” prevailing.
The motion, seconded by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, sought to make electronic transmission the sole method of relaying results. The outcome triggered a walkout by opposition lawmakers.
Addressing journalists, Chinda said the minority could not support provisions they believe create loopholes for manipulation.
“Our position is clear, election results must be transmitted electronically without exception. Any clause that opens the door for abuse undermines electoral integrity,” he said.
He added that the minority had proposed that electronically transmitted results should override manually collated Form EC8A results in the event of discrepancies, a recommendation that was rejected.
On Clause 84, Chinda maintained that the mode of primaries should remain the internal affair of political parties, allowing them to choose between direct, indirect or consensus methods.
Despite the protest, the House passed the contested clauses, setting the stage for renewed political confrontation as preparations for the 2027 polls intensify.
Outside the National Assembly complex, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators gathered at the main gate.
The protesters, comprising civil society groups, labour unions and youth organisations had demanded mandatory, real-time electronic transmission of results to safeguard the 2027 general election.
In the commotion that followed, several protesters reportedly fell while fleeing the fumes, and an elderly woman was said to have fainted.
Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore condemned the police action, describing it as an assault on democratic participation.
He argued that citizens should have access to observe legislative proceedings, insisting that peaceful protest is a constitutional right.
A coalition under the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) accused lawmakers of weakening reforms by introducing discretionary clauses that permit manual transmission in cases of network failure.
Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Prince Adewale Adebayo, who read the coalition’s address, said repeated irregularities had eroded public trust in the electoral process.
Organised labour groups, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), backed calls for stronger electoral safeguards, warning that credible elections are essential for national stability.
Former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili also cautioned that diluting electronic transmission provisions could undermine democracy, urging lawmakers to entrench mandatory real-time e-transmission.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate amended the Electoral Act to reduce the statutory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days.
Lawmakers said the adjustment would allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reschedule the 2027 general elections to avoid a clash with the Ramadan fasting period.
In a division presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, 55 senators voted to retain manual transmission where electronic systems fail, while 15 opposed the provision.
With both chambers now aligned on conditional electronic transmission, attention shifts to harmonisation and eventual presidential assent amid growing public scrutiny and mounting political tension ahead of 2027.
