Electoral Act: lawmaking is not ‘eating amala,’ Senate spokesman defends amendment amid criticism

The Senate has justified its amendments to the Electoral Act, insisting that lawmakers acted diligently and in the best interest of Nigerians.

Speaking on Tuesday’s edition of Politics Today on Channels Television, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu said the lawmakers carefully weighed their decisions before reaching a conclusion.

“Anyone who truly loves Nigeria will understand that what we have done is in the country’s best interest,” Adaramodu said. “We do not play to the gallery. A small, vocal minority may be overly dramatic, but we do not make laws to satisfy them. Lawmaking is not something as simple as eating amala.”

On Tuesday, the Senate amended the Electoral Act to permit electronic transmission of election results, while also providing safeguards to address possible technical challenges during elections.

This marked a shift from the Senate’s earlier position, when it rejected mandatory electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IREV).

The amendment sparked criticism from civil society groups, opposition figures, and other stakeholders. However, during an emergency plenary, the upper chamber approved electronic transmission of results excluding the “real-time” requirement as part of the electoral process.

The lawmakers also resolved that in the event of internet connectivity failure, Form EC8A would remain the primary document for result collation.

Defending the decision, Adaramodu said the process was thorough and deliberate. “We don’t make laws on impulse. Lawmaking requires careful thought and painstaking effort to ensure that any flaws do not undermine public trust in our system,” he said.

According to the senator, the diverse reactions to the amendment reflect a healthy democracy. “In Nigeria, as in any thriving democracy, there will always be differing opinions and perspectives. What matters is that all views are heard, and that is exactly what happened,” he added.