Protests have continued to mount nationwide following the Senate’s rejection of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, with demonstrators warning that the decision could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections. Despite the Senate’s plan to reconvene for an emergency sitting on Tuesday, protesters insist the controversy remains unresolved.
On Monday, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi joined hundreds of demonstrators at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja under the banner “Occupy the National Assembly.” Organised by the Obidient Movement and pro-democracy groups, the protest opposed the Senate’s deletion of the word “real-time” from provisions on electronic transmission of results, which critics say creates room for manipulation.
The protesters, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards demanding credible elections, were blocked from entering the National Assembly by heavily armed security operatives drawn from the police, army and civil defence corps. Addressing journalists, Obi warned that weakening electoral safeguards threatens Nigeria’s democratic stability, while Obidient Movement coordinator Dr Yunusa Tanko said protests would continue until lawmakers explicitly reinstate real-time electronic transmission.
The controversy stems from the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, which allows electronic transmission of results but does not make it mandatory or immediate. While the Senate has issued clarifications denying it rejected e-transmission outright, civil society groups and opposition figures argue the omission weakens transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and several civil society organisations have expressed concern, urging the National Assembly to align with the House of Representatives by approving mandatory and immediate electronic transmission of results. The groups warned that failure to do so could erode public trust, discourage voter participation and jeopardise the credibility of future elections.