The Senate is reconvening today for an emergency session amid growing pressure to include mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the amended Electoral Act.
The controversy surrounds the removal of the phrase “real-time” from sections dealing with electronic transmission, sparking concerns about electoral manipulation and post-poll interference.
Critics, including 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, argue that the absence of real-time transmission weakens safeguards against electoral fraud.
On Monday, Obi led protests at the National Assembly, emphasizing that credible elections are non-negotiable.
Also, protesters have vowed to continue demonstrations until the bill is amended to explicitly mandate real-time electronic transmission.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors and civil society groups also backed the demand, citing the need for transparency and accountability.
The House of Representatives had adopted the clause mandating real-time transmission, but the Senate favors discretion, leaving it to INEC’s judgment.
Meanwhile, a conference committee has been set up to reconcile the differences.
