Senate Switches to Manual Vote on State Police Bill After Electronic System Fails

…Akpabio: Matter of Profound National Importance

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA — The Senate on Wednesday abandoned its plan to use an electronic voting system to consider the constitutional amendment bill establishing state police, after the voting machines failed.

After more than 30 minutes of failed attempts to activate the electronic system, senators decided to adopt a manual voting process, requiring members to indicate their votes by raising their hands.

The decision was made as the Senate began voting on the Constitution Review Committee's report on the Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, which would establish state police and address related matters.

The shift to manual voting followed a motion by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), who argued that the chamber should proceed manually after repeated unsuccessful attempts to use the electronic system.

Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) seconded the motion, and the chamber adopted it.

In his opening remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the state police constitutional amendment as a matter of significant national importance, urging senators to approach the debate with patriotism and a commitment to the national interest.

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