Why I Was Absent During Voting On E-Transmission Of Election Results — Stella Oduah

Stella Oduah, senator representing Anambra north, says she
abstained from voting on the electronic transmission of election
results because she didn’t want to reject the work she was part
of.

Oduah, a member of the committee on the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC), was among 27 senators who were absent
when voting was held.

The provision for electronic transmission of electronic results
is contained in section 50(3) of the electoral act amendment bill
which was passed on Thursday.

The upper legislative chamber retained an amendment by Sabi
Abdullahi, senate deputy whip, who proposed that the Nigeria
Communication Communication (NCC) must certify that national
coverage is adequate and secure, while the national assembly must
approve before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
can transmit election results electronically.

Albert Bassey, senator representing Akwa Ibom north-east, had
kicked against the motion and said the initial proposal made by the
committee should be retained.

The recommendation of the committee reads: “The commission may
transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when
practicable.”

To adopt Abdullahi’s proposal, the senators had a 52-28 vote
using the “division” method which is provided for in order 73 of
the senate rule book.

In a terse statement on Friday, Oduah said she abstained from
the voting by walking out of the red chamber because it would be
“unjust” if she rejects her committee’s work.

“We took time to arrive at that decision at the committee
meeting and coming to plenary to reject it will be unjust, that was
why I walked out,” the senator said.

“In as much as number is a very significant decider in
parliament, we should also take decisions having future projection
and nation development in mind.”

Stella Oduah, senator representing Anambra north, says she
abstained from voting on the electronic transmission of election
results because she didn’t want to reject the work she was part
of.

Oduah, a member of the committee on the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC), was among 27 senators who were absent
when voting was held.

The provision for electronic transmission of electronic results
is contained in section 50(3) of the electoral act amendment bill
which was passed on Thursday.

The upper legislative chamber retained an amendment by Sabi
Abdullahi, senate deputy whip, who proposed that the Nigeria
Communication Communication (NCC) must certify that national
coverage is adequate and secure, while the national assembly must
approve before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
can transmit election results electronically.

Albert Bassey, senator representing Akwa Ibom north-east, had
kicked against the motion and said the initial proposal made by the
committee should be retained.

The recommendation of the committee reads: “The commission may
transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when
practicable.”

To adopt Abdullahi’s proposal, the senators had a 52-28 vote
using the “division” method which is provided for in order 73 of
the senate rule book.

In a terse statement on Friday, Oduah said she abstained from
the voting by walking out of the red chamber because it would be
“unjust” if she rejects her committee’s work.

“We took time to arrive at that decision at the committee
meeting and coming to plenary to reject it will be unjust, that was
why I walked out,” the senator said.

“In as much as number is a very significant decider in
parliament, we should also take decisions having future projection
and nation development in mind.”