The Senate has rescinded its decision taken last week on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022, following a point of order raised by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno.
Raising the point of order during plenary on Tuesday, Senator Monguno cited relevant provisions of the Senate Standing Rules, arguing that the clause on the transmission of election results required further review to reflect the aspirations of Nigerians.
According to him, “the Senate has the powers, under its rules, to revisit and rescind any resolution where the need arises in the interest of the public.” 
He subsequently moved a motion seeking the rescission of the Senate’s earlier resolution on Clause 60, Subsection Three of the bill, proposing the insertion of a new provision to address concerns surrounding the transmission of election results.
The motion was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi and was adopted after the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, put the question to a voice vote.
While ruling on the matter, Akpabio said the Senate was committed to strengthening the electoral process and ensuring that the law reflects contemporary realities.
“The issue of electronic transmission of election results, including the use of the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), is critical to the credibility of our electoral system and must be properly addressed,” the Senate President said.
Meanwhile, the Senate also resolved to increase the number of its members on the conference committee for the amended bill from nine to twelve.
Akpabio explained that the adjustment was to ensure parity with the House of Representatives, which had already constituted twelve members for the harmonisation process.
“The increase in the number of members is to align with the House of Representatives and ensure effective consideration of all grey areas in the bill,” he stated.
The conference committee is expected to harmonise differences between the Senate and House versions of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill before it is transmitted for final consideration.
