The Senate on Thursday got involved in a bitter argument on how electronic results would be transmitted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on election day.
The red chamber courted trouble when it tried to amend Clause 52 (3) of the new Electoral Act.
The joint National Assembly Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters has recommended that INEC should reserve the power to transmit results by electronic means where applicable on the day of election.
Senator representing Niger North, Sabi Abdullahi said that the power to determine the practicability of electronic transmission should be saddled with the Nigerian Communications Commission with the approval of the National Assembly.
However, confusion occurred when the Senate President put the matter to a voice vote and later ruled in favour of the Niger State Senator.
Lawan’s action further fueled the anger of many senators, mostly from the southern part of the country and this led to a stalemate that lasted over 20 minutes.
The development forced the Senate President to call for a closed session.
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