The Senate on Tuesday adopted electronic transmission of election results while amending the Votes and Proceedings of its plenary sitting held on Wednesday, February 4, following a review of its earlier resolution on Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
The decision clarifies the procedure for transmitting polling unit results and provides for the use of manual documentation in the event of technical or communication failures.
The amendment followed a motion moved by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, and subsequently endorsed by the Senate.
The motion addressed the transmission of election results from polling units.
Following the adoption of the motion, the Senate approved the use of electronic means for the transmission of election results.
However, it resolved that in the event of a communication failure or technical glitch that prevents electronic transmission, Form EC8—which contains polling unit results duly entered, stamped and signed by the presiding officer and countersigned by party agents—shall serve as the primary source for collation.
After the vote on the motion, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe moved a counter-motion calling for a division, which would require individual voting on Section 60(3) of the bill.
He, however, withdrew the motion after the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, asked him to proceed with it.
