The electoral act amendment bill which was passed into law by both chambers of the National Assembly has been transmitted to the executive for assent.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, confirmed this in a statement on Friday, which was made available to journalists in Abuja.
The bill was passed after a conference committee of the upper and lower legislative chambers harmonised the version of the House of Representatives and the Senate to statutorily allow electronic transmission of election results.
Omorare, citing relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution as amended, said the bill was transmitted on Friday in anticipation that it would be signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Part of the statement read: “Please be informed that in pursuance of Section 58 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2 LFN 2004, the National Assembly has transmitted the Electoral Bill 2021 to Mr. President today Friday November 19, 2021.”
The harmonised version has placed on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the sole power to determine the mode of transmission of results.
The clause in the amended act that empowers INEC to transmit election results electronically was contained in clause 52 (2) of the Electoral Act.
