The Senate has scheduled an emergency plenary for Tuesday, February 10, amid sustained controversy over its decision not to make real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
In a notice issued on Sunday, the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, said the session was convened on the directive of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and will hold at 12 noon in 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 read.
The emergency sitting follows mounting pressure from civil society groups, labour unions and political stakeholders urging lawmakers to revisit Clause 60(3) of the amendment bill, which deals with the transmission of election results.
Last week, the red chamber retained the existing provision in the Electoral Act 2022, allowing electronic transfer of results “in a manner as prescribed by the commission,” rather than adopting proposals for mandatory real-time transmission from polling units.
The Senate also declined an amendment seeking a 10-year ban for vote buyers, opting to maintain the current penalties of fines or imprisonment.
Although some senators insist the bill enjoyed majority support, critics argue that the refusal to mandate real-time transmission leaves gaps that could undermine transparency in future elections.
The outcome of Tuesday’s emergency sitting is expected to clarify whether the Senate will reconsider its position.
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