Overwhelmed by backlash thar followed its failure to adopt Clause 60(3) of the 2026 Electoral bill containing electronic transmission of election results, the Senate Tuesday bowed to the popular request by adopting it.
This is even as it widened the size of Harmonization committee from 9 to 12, set up to liaise with that of the House of Representatives for final copy of the passed electoral amendment bill.
The Senate had on Wednesday last week during clause by clause consideration of the 2022 Electoral Act ( Amendment) Bill 2026, retained provisions of the 2022 electoral act on transfer of result as against transmission real time provided for , in section 60(3).
“The earlier rejected provision reads: ” The Presiding Officer shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to IREV portal in real time and such transmission shall be done after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the Presiding Officer and / or countersigned by the candidates or polling agents available at the polling unit.”
In bowing to public demand , the Senate during an emergency session on Tuesday, reverted itself through motion moved to that effect by its Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (Borno North).
Monguno who incidentally was the one that moved motion for adoption of the 2022 version last week Wednesday rose through orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate standing rules during adoption of votes and proceedings for rescission of Senate’s action , captured on page 1482 .
“I rise to move that the Senate rescind its decision on clause 60 of the electoral bill 2026 by adopting clause 60(3) which states that “Presiding Officer shall electronically transmit election results from each polling unit to IREV portal and such transmission shall be done after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the Presiding Officer and / or countersigned by the candidates or polling agents available at the polling unit.”
The motion seconded by the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (Benue South), was accordingly adopted by the Senate when put to voice votes by Senators.
Though Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe ( Abia South) , first kicked against the ruling of the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio on adoption of the amended clause through Order 72, but later withdrew his motion for division.
For harmonization of the Senate’s amended bill with that of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate announced to Senators the need for membership of the Senate committee to be increased from 9 to 12 to tally with that of the House.
He accordingly reconstituted the committee headed by Senator Solomon Lalong in his capacity as Chairman , Senate Committee on Electoral Matters.
The new addition to the committee list are Senators Isah Jibrin ( Kogi East), Banigo Harry Ipalibo (Rivers West) and Onyekachi Nwaebonyi ( Ebonyi North), respectively.
Akpabio had last week names Senators Tahir Monguno ( Borno North), Adamu Aliero Kebbi Central), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), Aba Moro ( Benue South), Asuquo Ekpeyong (Cross River South), Iya Abass ( Adamawa Central),’ Adetokunbo Abiru ( Lagos East), and Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central) as members of the committee .]=]
