Pro-democracy activists on Monday staged a protest at the national assembly complex in Abuja, over the senate’s rejection of real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The protest, which attracted participants from student bodies and civil society organisations, also included some members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Obidient Movement. It was led by Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.
The protesters gathered early at the main entrance of the National Assembly, saying their action was triggered by reports that the Senate rejected a clause that would have made electronic transmission of results compulsory.
They are demanding that the Senate rescind its decision and approve a provision in the Electoral Act amendment bill that clearly mandates the real-time transmission of election results.
The demonstrators insisted that the amended law must explicitly include the phrase “real-time electronic transmission” to eliminate ambiguity and enhance the credibility of future elections.
Carrying placards with messages calling for transparency and credible polls, the protesters vowed to sustain pressure on the legislature until their demand is reflected verbatim in the final version of the bill.
According to them, any provision short of an unambiguous mandate could erode public confidence in the electoral process and create loopholes for manipulation.
The protest comes amid growing public debate following the Senate’s consideration of the Electoral Act amendment.
The Senate passed the bill on February 4 but ruled out real-time transmission of election results.
Although the upper chamber has since issued clarifications, insisting that it did not oppose electronic transmission and that no confusion exists in its position, the protesters argued that such assurances must be entrenched clearly in the law rather than left to interpretation or administrative discretion.
As of the time of filing this report, the demonstration remained peaceful, with protesters urging lawmakers to align with public expectations and global best practices by guaranteeing real-time electronic transmission of election results in the amended Electoral Act.