Protesters return to National Assembly demanding mandatory real-time transmission of results (video)

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Protesters return to National Assembly demanding mandatory real-time transmission of results (video)

Protesters on Monday, February 16, returned to the National Assembly complex, demanding that lawmakers make real-time electronic transmission of election results compulsory in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026.

The demonstrators, drawn from civil society organisations such as Situation Room Nigeria and ActionAid Nigeria, called for the complete removal of manual collation of results, arguing that it creates room for manipulation at collation centres.

According to the groups, genuine transparency can only be achieved if results are transmitted electronically in real time directly from polling units, without any fallback to manual processes.

The protest resumed after a five-day suspension of demonstrations following assurances given to the groups during last Tuesday’s Senate sitting.

Security personnel mounted barricades at the entrances of the National Assembly complex, restricting access and compelling the protesters to gather outside the main gates.

The demonstrators insisted there was no valid reason to retain manual backup systems, noting that budgetary allocations for elections already account for the technological infrastructure needed to support electronic transmission.

The renewed agitation comes amid controversy in the Senate over Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

During an emergency plenary session last week, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno proposed deleting the phrase “real-time” from the clause and substituting “transmission” with “transfer.”

The proposal sparked heated debate in the chamber, with lawmakers including Enyinnaya Abaribe raising objections and points of order.

At the conclusion of deliberations, senators approved the electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal but retained manual collation as a contingency in the event of technical difficulties.

The Senate is expected to reconvene on Tuesday at 11 a.m. to continue deliberations on other national issues.

Meanwhile, the protesters have vowed to sustain their advocacy, maintaining that they will not relent until real-time electronic transmission of election results is unequivocally guaranteed in the amended legislation.