Protests Resume at NASS Over Mandatory E-Transmission of Results [VIDEO]
Protesters returned to the National Assembly of Nigeria on Monday, calling for the real-time electronic transmission of election results to be made mandatory under the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026.
The demonstrators, which included civil society groups such as Situation Room and ActionAid Nigeria, demanded the complete elimination of manual collation to prevent manipulation during result compilation.
The protest follows a five-day hiatus from the Assembly, after assurances were given during last Tuesday’s sitting. Security personnel reportedly barricaded entrances to the complex, forcing demonstrators to hold their rally outside the gates.
The protesters argued that full transparency requires mandatory real-time e-transmission, noting that manual backups are unnecessary since the election budget already covers the technological requirements.
The development comes after the Senate reconvened for an emergency plenary last Tuesday to revisit Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. Senator Tahir Monguno, the Senate Chief Whip, moved to remove the phrase “real-time” and replaced “transmission” with “transfer,” a move that drew strong objections from other senators, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who repeatedly raised points of order.
Ultimately, the Senate approved electronic transmission to the INEC Result Viewing Portal but allowed manual collation as a backup in case of technical failures.
The Senate is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, February 17, at 11 a.m. to consider further national issues. Meanwhile, the protesters have vowed to continue pressing lawmakers until full real-time transmission is guaranteed.
