Breaking: National Assembly Okays Electronic Transmission of Results, Direct Primary

Emameh Gabriel

The National Assembly has adopted the electronic transmission of election results in line with the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Similarly, the legislative body also resolved that political parties should adopt direct primary as mode of electing their candidates for elective offices.

The resolutions were part of the final recommendations of both the Senate and House of Representatives Conference Committee report on a Bill for an Act to repeal the Electoral Act No.6,2010 and enact The Electoral Act 2010.

The conference committee considered the differences in 21 clauses (1,5,6,15,16,,17,23,24,31,36,43,49,50,52,63,76,87,97,98,117 and 135) and the Explanatory Memorandum.

Senate Leader and chairman of the Conference Committee, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi while presenting the report at Senate plenary on Tuesday said “the Bill is now ready for passage and Presidential Assent”.

He expressed joy that the “citizens top priorities” on the Electoral Act Amendment including the use of technology have been addressed by the Electoral Bill, 2021″.

According to him, the Senate versions of clauses 52 and 87 among others were adopted.

Recall that the Senate did a re- commital of the amended clauses 43,52,63 and 87 passed on July 15, 2021 following consideration of the Senator Kabiru Gaya-led INEC Committee.

The National Assembly conference committee , however, on Tuesday passed clause 52 to read “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 conference committee also approved Clause 87 to read “a political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this bill shall hold direct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which shall be monitored by the Commission.”

In conclusion,Senator Abdullahi said “it is imperative to point out that with the successful harmonization of this Bill, a process that started from the 7th Assembly through to the 8th National Assembly has now been completed by the 9th National Assembly”.