FINALLY, SENATE ADOPTS ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF RESULTS, PARTIES TO DECIDE MODE OF PRIMARIES

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, finally adopted electronic transmission of election results. This is coming after months of back and forth debate and discussions in and out of the hallowed chambers. 

Intelligence has gathered that this position was contained in the Conference Committee report submitted to the chamber in Abuja on Tuesday.

The electronic transmission of election results, an exeption in clause 53 of the Electoral amendment act, places on the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) the right to transmit results without subjecting their discretion to other State bodies.

Adoption wasn’t, however, without heated debate which was brought under control by the presiding Senate President. Before the adoption in the Committee of the whole, Senator Adamu Aliero and former Governor of Kebbi State in his submission urged Senators to support the amendment. 

“This is a move that will deepen our democracy and a move that will make the electorate to vote according to their conscience. This will put paid to criminals having their way as people of questionable character can no longer be voted”, he said.

On his part, Senator Smart Adeyemi, representing Kogi West opposed the amendment on clause 87 which deals with direct primaries of political parties. He advocated strongly for some political parties who lack the capacity to organise direct primaries. He said it should be left for party executives to conduct if they would conduct direct or indirect primaries.

Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial districts said every card-carrying member of a political party should be allowed to vote for their aspirants.

“I support this motion and like to mention specifically that in clause 87 that every card-carrying member of any political party should be able to vote and it is a way of giving power back to the people.

“This is not about any political party, every political party will enjoy this, therefore, let every party member have the opportunity to vote who they wanted.”

Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, representing Oyo North supported his colleague in his submission. He said those opposed to direct primaries were afraid, wondering that if a contestant was as popular as he thinks, then he or she needed not to be afraid of direct primaries. 

“Let’s practice democracy in accordance with the global best practices. I see no reason why anybody should be afraid of direct primaries as it goes to solve problems of aspirants”, he said.

However, Senator Shuaibu Lau representing Taraba North Senatorial district called for caution. He said political parties should be allowed to conduct their primaries to the best if their might in resources and ideologies.

“I agree with amendment of clause 87 which has to do with political party primaries. We must, therefore, not tie parties to one way traffic of conducting primaries and not because there are beliefs that governors are hijacking parties and not free parties to democratically elect their leaders”, he said. 

At the end of all debates and deliberations, the chamber resorted to the committee of the whole. The electronic means of transmitting election results was passed, while political parties shall decide the modus of their primaries themselves.

Credit: Eons intelligence