The decision was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during an emergency plenary session held in response to disagreements surrounding provisions of the proposed amendment. The Senate constituted a conference committee to harmonise differences between both chambers and fast-track the legislative process.
The committee is chaired by Senator Simon Lalong and includes Senators Orji Uzor Kalu, Tahir Monguno, Adamu Aliero, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Aminu Iya Abbas, Tokunbo Abiru, Niyi Adegbonmire, Jibrin Isah, Ipalibo Banigo and Onyekachi Nwebonyi. Akpabio explained that the number of members was increased from nine to twelve after discussions with the leadership to ensure wider input.
The Senate leadership directed the committee to treat the assignment as urgent and conclude its work within a few days so that the amended bill could be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent before the end of February. Following the announcement, the Senate President formally inaugurated the committee.
The move followed a heated session in the chamber after the Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno, raised a motion seeking to reverse an earlier approval of Clause 60(3) of the bill. The request, which relied on provisions of the Senate Standing Orders, was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi.
Tension grew when Monguno read the clause with changes to key wording, removing the term real-time and replacing transmission with transfer. Several senators objected, leading to loud exchanges on the floor. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe challenged the alteration and cited the committee report, which stated that results should be sent electronically from polling units to the INEC portal immediately after due signing and stamping of result forms.
As disagreements intensified, Abaribe called for a formal division of the chamber in line with Senate rules. The dispute added to ongoing public debate over the Electoral Act amendment, especially on the issue of electronic transfer of election results ahead of the 2027 general elections.