By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Senate has changed its earlier resolve on the issue of electronic transmission of election results, as it has now empowered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to go ahead with any method of transmission of results it chooses to deploy.
In addition, the Lawmakers approved direct voting for political parties holding primaries for aspirants to all elective positions.
These were part of amendments made to some clauses of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) bill 2021, passed on July 15, 2021, on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, by the Senate during plenary.
The chamber explained that the decision to subject the amended clauses of the bill to re-committal was reached after critical examination by the Senate Committee on INEC.
The Senate added that some fundamental issues which required fresh legislative action were observed by the Senator Kabiru Gaya-led Committee in the bill, leading to fresh amendments of certain aspects of the bill contained in Clauses 43, 52, 63 and 87, respectively.
The upper chamber in Clause 52 of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, had approved that “the Commission (INEC) may consider the electronic transmission of results, provided the national coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the National Communications Commission and approved by the National Assembly.”
The Senate, however, on Tuesday amended the clause when the bill was subjected to re-committal to provide that, “subject to section 63 of this bill, voting at an election and transmission of results under this bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission.”
The chamber also amended Clause 87 to provide that political parties should hold direct primaries for aspirants for all elective positions.
Members of the Conference Committee on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021, are expected to meet with their counterparts in the House of Representatives to harmonise the two versions passed by both chambers.
The Senate: “Recalls that the Electoral Act No. 6, 2010 (Repeal and re-enactment) Bill, 2021 was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives.
“Observes that after critical examination of the Bill by the Senate Committee on INEC, some fundamental issues which require fresh legislative action on the following clauses – 43, 52, 63, and 87 were observed.
“Desirous of the need to address the observation by the Committee and make necessary amendments; and
“Relying on order 1(b) and 53(6) of Senate Standing Order.
“Accordingly resolves to: Rescind its decision on the affected Clauses of the Bill as passed and re-commit same to the Committee of the Whole for consideration and passage.”
Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Orders reads: “In all cases not provided for hereinafter or by Sessional or other Orders or practice of the Senate shall by Resolution regulate its procedure.
Also, Order 53(6) of the Senate Standing Orders reads: “It shall be out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific question upon which the Senate has come to a conclusion during the current session except upon a substantive motion for rescission.”