Tension Erupted In The House Of Representatives On Tuesday As Opposition Lawmakers Rejected Efforts To Alter The Electoral Act Amendment Bill, Focusing On Clause 60 Which Covers Electronic Transmission Of Election Results.

The Dispute Followed Moves To Replace The House-Approved Version Of The Bill With The Senate’s Position.

The Clause Originally Passed By The House Allows Results To Be Transmitted Electronically From Polling Units Directly To A Central Platform Of The Independent National Electoral Commission.

Lawmakers From Opposition Parties Argued That Changing The Clause Would Weaken Transparency In Future Elections. They Insisted That Real-Time Electronic Transmission Must Remain In The Bill Without Compromise.

Earlier In The Week, Pressure Had Mounted Within The Chamber, Leading The Committee On Electoral Matters To Suggest That The House Should Step Back From Its Earlier Decision And Align With The Senate’s Version.

However, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu Supported Lawmakers Of The Ruling Party Who Urged The House To Accept The Senate’s Position. This Stance Triggered Loud Protests From Opposition Members On The Floor.

Shouts Of “Ole” Echoed Across The Chamber As Lawmakers Chanted, “APC – Ole! APC – Ole!”

The Disagreement Reflects Wider Divisions Over How Election Results Should Be Transmitted And Verified In Nigeria. While The House Had Approved Full Electronic Transmission Of Results, The Senate Introduced A Condition Allowing Manual Transmission If Electronic Methods Fail.

The National Assembly Has Since Set Up Conference Committees From Both Chambers To Harmonise The Two Versions Of The Bill Before It Is Sent For Final Approval.