Electoral Bill Tension: Senate Spokesman Vows Votes And Proceedings Will Be Approved

Amid rising nationwide protests over the removal of the phrase “real-time” from the amended Electoral Act, the Senate has assured Nigerians that the matter will be revisited during an emergency plenary session scheduled for today (Tuesday).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The assurance was given by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, following public backlash against the Senate’s decision to make electronic transmission of election results discretionary rather than compulsory.

On Monday, hundreds of pro-democracy protesters converged on the National Assembly complex in Abuja, calling for the explicit inclusion of “real-time electronic transmission” in the final version of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. Carrying placards and banners, the demonstrators argued that only a clear and unambiguous provision would ensure transparency and restore public confidence in the electoral process.

Responding to the protest, Adaramodu said the National Assembly respects citizens’ rights to peaceful demonstration, describing such actions as a fundamental element of democracy.

“The Senate is not opposed to Nigerians expressing their feelings. We are in a democracy, and people have the right to peacefully make their views known,” he said in an interview with Vanguard.

He further revealed that the Senate would reconvene today in an emergency session to approve the votes and proceedings of last Wednesday’s plenary, during which the disputed clause was adopted.

Reiterating the Senate’s commitment to its constitutional duties, Adaramodu assured Nigerians that lawmakers would carefully consider the concerns raised.

“We will be holding an emergency sitting today to approve the votes and proceedings of our last session,” he said. “As a Senate, we are not against peaceful expression. We are in a democracy, and we will continue to do what we were elected to do in the interest of Nigerians.”