The Senate has insisted it will not succumb to pressure or intimidation over its decision to amend the Electoral Act to allow the electronic transmission of election results, saying the move reflects democratic debate rather than legislative weakness.
The Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, stated this on Tuesday during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, following public reactions to the red chamber’s amendment of Section 60 of the Electoral Act.
The amendment empowers presiding officers at polling units to transmit results electronically to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Results Viewing Portal (IREV), a development that has triggered sharp responses from civil society groups and political stakeholders.
Adaramodu, however, dismissed claims that the Senate acted under pressure, stressing that lawmaking involves rigorous deliberation and consideration of diverse viewpoints.
“We are not worried, we are not to be intimidated, and we shouldn’t be intimidated,” he said. “In any democracy that is thriving, there will be shades of opinions and different ideas, and we must listen to all. That is what happened here.”
He added that the Senate does not legislate for public applause but in the interest of strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“Lawmaking is not comical, and the Senate does not play to the gallery. What we are doing is to ensure that our laws reflect current realities and serve the best interest of Nigerians,” Adaramodu said.
The Senate’s action comes amid ongoing debates over electoral transparency, credibility of results, and public trust in the electoral process ahead of future general elections.
Observers say the latest amendment could significantly reshape Nigeria’s electoral framework, especially in restoring confidence in the collation and transmission of results.
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