House Of Reps Passes Electoral Bill, Adopts E-transmission Of Results

The Nigerian House of Representatives has passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill after much rancour.

Reps adopted the controversial electronic and manual transmission of results where applicable. It was gathered that the minority caucus(PDP) staged a walkout shortly before the bill was passed.

On Friday, the house was informed that about 49% of polling units in Nigeria are without a network by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC). Ubale Maska, the NCC commissioner of technical, said the Commission carried out a survey in 2018 of all the polling units in Nigeria.

Maska and three others represented the NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Umar Danbatta. Maska revealed that 40% are with 2G while about 10% are without a network at all, noting that only 3G and above can transmit results.

In the course of the consideration, the Minority Leader, Ndudi Elemelu had challenged a statement by the Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase, that section 52 was passed on Thursday.

Elumelu argued that the section was not passed on Thursday, hence, no need for any rescission. When the deputy speaker insisted and ruled Elumelu out of order, the members of the opposition decided to walk out.