The Senate has announced plans to hold an emergency plenary session on Tuesday, February 10, as discussions over the electronic transmission of election results continue to generate intense public and political attention.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a notice released on Sunday, the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, disclosed that the sitting was approved by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. The session is scheduled to begin at exactly 12 noon inside the Senate chamber.
“I am directed by His Excellency, the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, to inform all Distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that an Emergency Sitting of the Senate has been scheduled…” the notice stated.
“All distinguished senators are kindly requested to note this emergency sitting date and attend.”
The decision to convene the emergency meeting follows increasing pressure on the National Assembly to revisit clause 60(3) of the electoral amendment bill, which focuses on the process for electronically transmitting election results.
Civil society groups, election observers, and political stakeholders have continued to call for clearer provisions that would guarantee transparency and credibility during elections.
Last Wednesday, the Senate retained the clause on electronic transmission as captured in the Electoral Act 2022, rejecting proposed amendments that would mandate real-time transmission of results. Lawmakers also turned down a proposal seeking a 10-year ban on individuals found guilty of vote buying, choosing instead to maintain the existing penalties of fines or imprisonment.
Some senators later explained that the bill received overwhelming support from members of the upper chamber, even though key recommendations by reform advocates were not adopted.
They argued that the retained provisions still allow the Independent National Electoral Commission to determine the most effective method for transmitting results, as stated in the current law.
Under the retained clause, election results are to be transmitted in a manner as prescribed by the commission, a wording that has continued to spark debate among Nigerians who are demanding stronger legal backing for real-time electronic transmission to curb manipulation and enhance public confidence in the electoral process.
