Senate passes Electoral Act amendment after heated division vote, retaining manual transmission clause despite strong opposition protest.
The Nigerian Senate has passed the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill after a tense and rowdy plenary session triggered by a demand for division over Clause 60 by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
As proceedings resumed, Abaribe insisted on a division regarding Clause 60(3), specifically opposing the proviso that permits manual transmission of election results where electronic transmission fails. Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that he believed the earlier demand had been withdrawn, drawing immediate resistance from opposition senators.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin invoked Order 52(6), arguing that it would be out of order to reopen a matter already ruled upon by the presiding officer. His submission sparked another uproar, with lawmakers engaging in heated exchanges. At one point, Senator Sunday Karimi had a brief confrontation with Abaribe on the floor.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele reminded colleagues that he had sponsored the motion for rescission, meaning earlier decisions on the bill were no longer valid. He maintained that Abaribe’s demand was therefore procedurally in order. Akpabio sustained the point of order and asked Abaribe to formally move his motion.
Rising under Order 72(1), Abaribe called for a division on Clause 60(3), seeking the removal of the proviso allowing manual transmission in cases of network failure. During voting, senators supporting the caveat were asked to stand, followed by those opposed. Fifteen opposition senators stood against the proviso, while 55 senators voted in its favour. The clause was consequently retained.
Earlier, the Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole after a motion to rescind the previous passage of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026 was seconded. Clause-by-clause deliberation began but stalled at Clause 60 when Abaribe raised a point of order, prompting consultations and murmurs across the chamber before a brief closed-door session.
Before rescinding the bill, lawmakers expressed concern over the timetable announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission fixing the 2027 general elections for February 2027
Bamidele explained that the 360-day notice requirement in Clause 28 could result in scheduling the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections during Ramadan, potentially affecting voter turnout, logistics, stakeholder participation and overall inclusiveness.
The Senate also identified drafting inconsistencies affecting multiple clauses, including issues of cross-referencing, numbering and internal coherence. After addressing the concerns and voting on contested provisions, the chamber passed the amended Electoral Act bill.