MARY-KATE AND ASHLEY OLSEN STEP OUT IN COORDINATED BLACK LOOKS FOR NEW YORK STROLL. (PHOTO).

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Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen step out in coordinated black looks for New York stroll Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen made a rare joint appearance in New York City, stepping out together for a relaxed afternoon in matching, understated fashion. The 39-year-old twins were seen walking through Midtown Manhattan on April 30, dressed in coordinated black trench coats paired with wide-leg denim. They completed the look with sunglasses, scarves, and structured alligator handbags from their luxury label, The Row, before stopping for lunch during their outing. Long before becoming fashion insiders, the sisters built global recognition as child actors through projects like Full House, It Takes Two, and New York Minute. Over time, they stepped away from Hollywood and fully transitioned into fashion, officially launching The Row in 2005. Mary-Kate now serves as creative director of the brand, while Ashley oversees it as CEO. In earlier interviews, Ashley has described the label’s beginnings as a small ex...
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MANDATES REAL-TIME ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF ELECTION RESULTS TO IREV PORTAL. (PHOTO).

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    House of Representatives Mandates Real-Time Electronic Transmission of Election Results to IReV Portal


The House of Representatives has approved amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, with a key provision making real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal mandatory, addressing long-standing concerns over transparency in Nigeria's elections.


During clause-by-clause consideration of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, lawmakers ratified Clause 60(3), which states: “The presiding officer shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to the IReV portal in real time, and such transmission shall be done after the prescribed form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the presiding officer and/or countersigned by the candidates or polling unit agents, where available at the polling unit.”


This change removes previous ambiguities, as the 2022 Act left transmission discretionary to INEC guidelines. The move is seen as a direct response to glitches and delays experienced with the IReV portal during the 2023 elections.


The House also entrenched the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as the primary accreditation tool under Clause 47(2). If BVAS fails without a replacement, elections in affected units must be cancelled, with a new poll within 24 hours if the result could substantially affect the constituency outcome.


To deter malpractice, amendments introduce tougher penalties:


- Vote buying/selling: Minimum 2 years' imprisonment, N5 million fine, or both, plus a 10-year election contest ban (amended Clause 22).


- Presiding officers breaching counting/announcement/transmission rules: Minimum N500,000 fine, 6 months' imprisonment, or both (new Section 60(6)).


- Multiple registrations: Minimum N100,000 fine, 1 year's imprisonment, or both (amended Clause 12(3)).


- Declaring false results: 5-year jail term.


Additional approvals include:

- Releasing funds to INEC at least one year before general elections.


- Extending party candidate submission deadline to 210 days before elections.


- Permitting electronic voter IDs, like downloadable QR-coded cards.


Lawmakers rejected a clause criminalising delegate inducement in primaries, citing risks of entrapment.


Committee Chairman Adebayo Balogun praised the amendments for strengthening the 2022 Act while addressing gaps, following consultations with stakeholders. The bill now awaits full passage, Senate harmonisation, and presidential assent before the 2027 elections.


Civil society has hailed the real-time transmission mandate as a major boost to electoral integrity and public confidence.

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