JUST IN: Obi, supporters storm National Assembly over electoral act amendment
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi on Monday led a protest to the National Assembly complex in Abuja, condemning the Senate’s decision to reject real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The demonstration drew participants from student bodies, civil society organisations, members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and supporters of the Obidient Movement.
Addressing the protesters, Obi questioned the rationale behind the Senate’s action, insisting that Nigerians only want credible elections. “Allow the elections to go through the normal process. Whoever wins, we would accept,” he said.
The protest follows the Senate’s passage of an amendment to the Electoral Act on February 4 after several hours of deliberation. Among other changes, the amendment reduces the period for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue notices of election from 360 days to 180 days.
However, lawmakers rejected a proposal that would have made real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results to INEC’s Result Viewing (IReV) portal compulsory. The proposed clause required presiding officers to transmit results electronically in real time after completing and signing Form EC8A, the official record of votes at polling units.
Instead, the Senate retained provisions in the 2022 Electoral Act that allow INEC to determine the manner in which results are transferred electronically, rather than making real-time transmission a legal obligation.
The decision triggered widespread criticism on social media and from organised labour groups, with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warning of possible mass action.
Amid the growing controversy, the Senate has scheduled an emergency plenary session for February 10 to address issues arising from the amendment. The notice for the sitting was issued by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, on the directive of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
