Senate did not reverse e-transmission clause, says Ireti Kingibe

Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, has said the senate did not reverse the provision on electronic transmission of election results contained in the Electoral Act 2022.

The Labour Party senator spoke after the upper chamber, on Wednesday, retained the clause allowing electronic transmission of results while considering the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

During the session, the senate also rejected proposals for real time transmission of results and a 10 year ban for vote buying. Lawmakers opted to retain existing penalties, which include fines or jail terms.

In a post on X on Thursday, Kingibe said the electronic transmission provision was the outcome of a joint agreement by committees of the senate and the house of representatives.

She explained that the decision followed a broad consultative process involving the Independent National Electoral Commission and civil society organisations.

According to her, deliberations at various legislative retreats consistently favoured electronic transmission as the best option for Nigeria’s elections.

Kingibe dismissed claims that the senate had deviated from an earlier agreement, describing such reports as a misunderstanding of what was collectively passed by the national assembly.