The Senate on Monday declared that it is not opposed to public criticism and peaceful protests over its handling of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, assuring Nigerians that concerns surrounding the removal of the term “real-time” from provisions on electronic transmission of election results will be addressed at an emergency plenary sitting scheduled for today.
The controversy followed last Wednesday’s plenary, during which the contentious amendment was enacted, prompting public debate and demonstrations. Hundreds of protesters gathered at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, calling for the mandatory inclusion of real-time electronic transmission of election results in the updated Electoral Act.
Speaking amid the protests, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, acknowledged the democratic right of citizens to express their views peacefully and underscored the need for legislative clarity on the issue.
“The Senate is not averse to Nigerians showing their feelings. We are in a democracy, and people have the right to express themselves peacefully,” he stated.
Adaramodu further disclosed that the Senate would reconvene in an emergency sitting to review and ratify the votes and proceedings of the previous plenary session where the amendment was passed.
“Tomorrow (today), we will be having an emergency sitting to approve the votes and proceedings of our last sitting. As a Senate, we are not averse to Nigerians expressing their views in a very peaceful manner.
“We are in a democracy, and we will do what we have been elected to do for the people of Nigeria,” Adaramodu added.
Debates over electronic transmission of election results have featured prominently in previous amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Act, particularly ahead of general elections, with stakeholders arguing that real-time transmission enhances transparency, credibility, and public confidence in the electoral process.
