NBA Blasts Senate Over Rejection of E-Transmission of Election Results

 

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the Senate for rejecting a proposed amendment to the Electoral Act that would have mandated the electronic transmission of election results, describing the decision as a major blow to transparency and democracy in Nigeria.

NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, disclosed this during the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Thursday in Maiduguri, Borno State. He said the Senate refused to approve changes to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill, which sought to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit polling unit results in real time.

“Yesterday, the Senate rejected a proposed amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3, aimed at compelling the electronic transmission of election results,” Osigwe said. “The amendment would have required INEC presiding officers to upload results to the Result Viewing Portal immediately after Form EC8A had been signed and stamped.”

He explained that the Senate instead retained the current provision that allows results to be transmitted “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission,” a decision the NBA described as a setback that could increase post-election disputes and erode public confidence.

Following deliberations, the NBA NEC resolved that the National Assembly should revisit the matter and explicitly mandate electronic transmission of results.

“The NBA NEC urges the National Assembly to vote in favor of the proposed amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3, to compel real-time electronic transmission of results,” the report read.

Insecurity Takes Centre Stage

Beyond electoral matters, Osigwe also addressed the worsening security situation in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly the resurgence of deadly “one-chance” robberies. He lamented the recent killing of two women, Ms Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem, a nurse, and Princess Chigbo Mediatrix, a lawyer and former NBA Abuja Branch treasurer.

“These were not faceless victims. They were professionals, contributors to society, whose only intention was to return safely from their daily engagements,” Osigwe said.

He described the murder of Princess Mediatrix as deeply personal to the association, highlighting the vulnerability of citizens, including legal practitioners, in the nation’s capital.

The NBA called for immediate action by security agencies and the FCT Administration to dismantle criminal networks masquerading as commercial transport operators. Osigwe stressed the need for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and prosecution of all perpetrators and enablers.

“Justice must not only be promised; it must be delivered,” he warned.

The NEC meeting concluded with the NBA reaffirming its commitment to defending constitutional governance, electoral integrity, and public safety, while urging decisive intervention from both the legislature and security agencies to restore public confidence.