A group of protesters has stormed the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Monday, demanding the inclusion of a provision mandating the electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Amendment Bill.
The protest, tagged ‘Occupy National Assembly’, was organised by Nigerian youths, pro-democracy activists and civil society groups who are demanding that lawmakers reverse their position on the electronic transmission clause in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, by making results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV) compulsory.
This has drawn widespread criticism from Nigerians and civil society groups, who argue that it could undermine transparency and erode public confidence in future elections.
While responding to the concerns, Senate President Godswill Akpabio denied claims that the Senate had removed electronic transmission from the proposed amendment, insisting that the existing provisions in the Electoral Act 2022 were retained.
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According to the protesters, making the electronic transmission of results mandatory is critical to improving transparency and restoring public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.
“Allow the election to go through the normal process. Whatever the outcome is, we will accept it. Why introduce confusion after the process?” he said.
According to him, the rejection of electronic transmission of results by the Senate undermines public confidence in the electoral process and raises concerns about transparency and credibility ahead of future elections.
Participants at the demonstration included members of civil society organisations, women’s groups and a handful of members of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), who converged at the main entrance of the National Assembly early on Monday morning.
A heavy security presence was observed around the complex, with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) deployed to maintain order.
Sources at the National Assembly said the protest remained peaceful, with security operatives deployed around the complex to maintain order and prevent a breakdown of law and order.