Senate approves electronic transmission of results, others in new electoral bill

Ahmed Lawan

The Senate has passed the conference committee report on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, heralding a new dawn in the nation’s electoral system.

Senate leader Yahaya Abdullahi moved the motion for the report to be adopted on Tuesday.

The Senate and House of Representatives had in July passed different versions of the bill, prompting the setting up of a conference committee.

Both chambers of the National Assembly have now empowered the Independent National Electoral Commission to determine the best mode to transmit election results.

The electoral commission will now have to decide how to transmit election results — either electronically or manually.

Both chambers also approved that all political parties must use the direct primary mode in picking candidates.

The bill will now be sent to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.