By Muhammad Mamman
Hundreds of protesters on Monday surrounded Nigeria’s National Assembly complex in Abuja, demanding the full adoption of electronic transmission of election results, a move they say is critical to safeguarding the integrity of future polls.
Chanting slogans and waving placards, demonstrators called on lawmakers to immediately pass electoral reforms that would mandate real-time electronic upload of results from polling units to a central server. Security personnel were deployed in large numbers, forming barricades around the parliament to prevent protesters from gaining access to the premises.
The protest comes amid growing public frustration over alleged manipulation of election results in past polls, with civil society groups insisting that electronic transmission would curb rigging and restore confidence in the electoral process.
Organisers of the demonstration said lawmakers must “listen to the people” and prioritise credible elections over political interests.
“We are here to demand transparency,” one protester told reporters. “Electronic transmission of results is not optional — it is the future of Nigeria’s democracy.”
Inside the National Assembly, debates were ongoing over proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, including provisions on how results should be transmitted. Some legislators have expressed concerns about network coverage in remote areas, while critics argue that such challenges can be addressed through technology and phased implementation.
Rights groups and opposition figures have also weighed in, urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration and parliament to embrace reforms that strengthen electoral credibility.
The protest remained peaceful as of midday, with organisers vowing to sustain pressure until their demands are met.
