Tear Gas Fired As Police Disperse National Assembly Demonstrators
The Nigerian Police Force has come under scrutiny after its operatives allegedly deployed tear gas on protesters who gathered at the National Assembly on Tuesday, calling for the mandatory inclusion of real-time electronic transmission of election results in the 2026 Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
The demonstrators, who resumed their presence at the National Assembly complex after a five-day pause, had previously halted their protests following assurances made during last Tuesday’s sitting.
It will be recalled that the Senate reconvened for an emergency plenary last Tuesday to review its contentious decision on Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, following widespread public backlash.
At the session, Senate Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) tabled a motion to eliminate the term “real-time” from the clause and substitute “transmission” with “transfer,” a move that was widely condemned by civil society groups and advocates of electoral reform.
