Pressure has continued to mount on the National Assembly to approve mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as part of the ongoing Electoral Act amendment process.
This comes as the Senate is set to reconvene for an emergency plenary session today amid growing public demands for the inclusion of the provision in the amended law.
The upper chamber had adjourned plenary for two weeks last Wednesday after passing the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026 through third reading, to enable lawmakers engage heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the defence of their 2026 budget proposals.
However, a memo dated February 8 and signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, announced the emergency sitting.
Odo stated he acted on the directive of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Although the memo did not specify the purpose of the session, strong indications suggest it is linked to widespread reactions trailing the amendment bill.
Controversial clause
Public attention has focused on a contentious provision — the removal of the phrase “real-time”from sections dealing with electronic transmission of election results.
While the Senate has issued clarifications insisting it did not reject electronic transmission outright, critics argue the absence of the words real-time electronic transmission weakens safeguards against manipulation and post-poll interference.
Obi leads protest at National Assembly
On Monday, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and 2027 hopeful, Peter Obi, led hundreds of demonstrators to the National Assembly Complex in Abuja to protest the development.
The protest, tagged “Occupy the National Assembly,” was organised by the Obidient Movement, National Opposition Movement and other pro-democracy groups.
Carrying placards reading “Our votes must count,” “No to electoral fraud,” “Protect democracy now,”and “Stop betrayal of the ballot,” the protesters marched from the Federal Secretariat to the Assembly complex.
They were, however, stopped at the entrance by security personnel comprising the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
‘Credible elections non-negotiable’ — Obi
Addressing journalists, Obi warned against undermining electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We must dismantle this criminality and prove that we are now a nation that shows light in Africa,” he said.
He insisted Nigerians would not accept glitches in future elections and urged lawmakers to pass amendments guaranteeing transparency.
“What we want is an electoral process that is transparent from beginning to finish. Whoever wins, we will accept. So why bring confusion?”
Protesters vow sustained action
National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said protests would continue until real-time transmission is restored.
“If there is no electronic transmission of results, there will be no election. Our elections must be credible.”
A member of the National Opposition Movement, Ike Bishop Okoronkwo, argued electronic transmission would curb manipulation during collation.
“Somebody sits somewhere and mutilates results. That must stop,” he said, urging strict punishment for electoral tampering.
He dismissed claims that Nigeria lacks capacity for nationwide transmission, citing the widespread use of Point-of-Sale terminals across the country.
Political groups back demand
Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jackie Wayas, said Nigerians were united in demanding credible elections.
“We’re here demanding one thing — real-time transmission of results in 2027.”
Activist Randy-Peter Akah also vowed continued demonstrations until lawmakers act, invoking the spirit of the June 12, 1993 election.
“In 2027, our votes must count,” he said.
The protesters pledged to continue peaceful demonstrations until the National Assembly amends the bill to explicitly mandate real-time electronic transmission of election results.
DAILY TRUST
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