By Nathaniel Zaccheaus and Vincent Egunyanga, Abuja
A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) will on Monday stage a protest at the National Assembly complex in Abuja over the Senate’s handling of amendments to the Electoral Act, heightening pressure on lawmakers over the controversial removal of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The protest is being coordinated under the umbrella of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, a nationwide platform comprising over 70 groups, including ActionAid Nigeria, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), RULAAC, and disability rights organisations.
Confirming the planned action, Samson Itodo, a member of the Situation Room and Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, said the protest was intended to register public rejection of any amendment that weakens electoral transparency.
Itodo, who was on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Sunday, said, “Nigerians are genuinely concerned about the integrity of future elections. The removal of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results sends the wrong signal and undermines confidence in the electoral process.”
He said the demonstration would draw lawmakers’ attention to what civil society groups describe as mass discontent over the Senate’s decision, insisting that the harmonisation process must restore clear legal backing for electronic transmission.
“This protest is not symbolic. It is meant to show that citizens are watching and will not accept a rollback of hard-won electoral reforms,” Itodo added.
•Senate summons emergency meeting
As pressure from civil society and organised labour mounts, the Senate has summoned lawmakers from their ongoing recess for an emergency plenary session on Tuesday, in a move seen as an attempt to address procedural delays and escalating public criticism surrounding the Electoral Act amendments.
The recall, ordered by Godswill Akpabio, was conveyed in a statement issued by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, directing all senators to reconvene at noon.
Although the official notice did not specify the agenda, parliamentary sources said the emergency sitting is expected to approve the Votes and Proceedings of the Senate’s last sitting, a key requirement before the conference committee can be inaugurated to harmonise the Senate and House of Representatives versions of the bill.
A principal officer of the Red Chamber, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that senators had already received formal communication on the recall.
“We have been asked to return specifically to approve the Votes and Proceedings,” the lawmaker said.
“That approval is necessary for the conference committee to commence work on the Electoral Act amendments.”
The senator disclosed that the session may initially be held in closed session due to the bill’s political sensitivity.
“The issue of electronic transmission of results has generated serious tension within and outside the National Assembly. The leadership is aware of the public mood,” he said.
Both chambers are currently observing a two-week recess to engage ministries, departments and agencies over the 2026 budget. The decision to interrupt the break, analysts say, underscores the urgency of completing work on the Electoral Act amendments amid growing national scrutiny.
•NLC says confusion over electronic transmission of results unacceptable
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a warning, describing the Senate’s handling of the Electoral Act amendment as confusing and contradictory, particularly on the status of electronic transmission of election results.
In a statement on Sunday, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the labour movement was alarmed by what it called legislative ambiguity that could erode public trust in the electoral system.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress expresses deep concern over the confusion and contradictory narratives emerging from the Senate regarding amendments to the Electoral Act, especially on electronic transmission of results,” Ajaero said.
According to the NLC, available records indicate that a proposal to make electronic transmission mandatory was rejected during Senate deliberations, with lawmakers retaining a provision that leaves transmission methods to the discretion of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Congress said subsequent explanations by Senate leaders had failed to clarify the final position, instead deepening public apprehension.
“Nigerians deserve a transparent system where votes are not only counted but seen to be counted. Any ambiguity in the law threatens electoral integrity,” the statement said.
The labour body demanded that the Senate issue an immediate and unambiguous clarification of the final provisions passed and ensure that the harmonisation process produces a law with clear and enforceable safeguards.
It warned that failure to do so could trigger mass action, including nationwide protests or election boycotts.
“Failure to mandate electronic transmission of results in real time may lead to mass action before, during and after elections,” the NLC cautioned.
