By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The senate on Wednesday finally passed the Electoral Act amendment bill after a six-hour clause-by-clause deliberation.
The bill was the only item listed on the order paper after a valedictory session for the late Okey Ezea and was approved by the committee of the whole following consideration and adoption of its 155 clauses. 
Lawmakers amended some of the provisions, while the majority of the clauses were retained as originally proposed.
One of the amendments reduced the timeline for the Independent National Electoral Commission to publish a notice of election from 360 days to 180 days.
The senate also ruled out real-time transmission of election results and retained the provision for electronic transfer of results as provided for in the 2002 Electoral Act.
