Nigerians Storm National Assembly, Demand Mandatory Electronic Transmission of Election Results

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Protesters on Monday returned to the National Assembly for a second consecutive day, demanding that lawmakers amend the newly passed Electoral Act amendment bill to make real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units mandatory.

The demonstrators rejected the Senate’s decision to leave the method of results transmission solely at the discretion of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arguing that the move weakens transparency and opens the door to manipulation.

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, joined the protest, warning that vague transmission provisions could undermine public trust in future elections. Obi referenced the technical failures and controversies that marred the 2023 general elections, stressing that Nigerians deserve a system that guarantees credibility and accountability.

“The country cannot afford another election riddled with glitches and uncertainty,” Obi told supporters, calling for reforms that ensure every vote counts and is verifiably transmitted in real time.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, however, defended the lawmakers’ position, stating that mandating electronic transmission nationwide could disenfranchise voters in areas with poor network coverage or security challenges. According to him, granting INEC flexibility allows the commission to adapt to varying conditions across the country.

Despite the Senate’s stance, civil society organisations and pro-democracy activists insist that the bill must be amended. Prominent activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore vowed that protests would continue until lawmakers reverse the decision and enshrine compulsory electronic result uploads in the law.

Amid mounting pressure, the Senate convened an emergency plenary session under heavy security, as tension continued to build around the National Assembly complex.

The protests reflect growing public frustration over electoral credibility and signal increasing pressure on lawmakers ahead of future elections, with many Nigerians insisting that transparent digital transmission is non-negotiable for restoring confidence in the democratic process.