Protesters on Monday converged on the National Assembly complex in Abuja under the banner “Occupy National Assembly,” voicing strong opposition to the Senate’s stance on the electronic transmission of election results.
The demonstration comes amid controversy surrounding reports that the Senate rejected electronic transmission of results. Although lawmakers have since issued multiple clarifications, insisting that electronic transmission was not outrightly discarded, protesters remain unconvinced. They are demanding unambiguous language in the proposed legislation—specifically the inclusion of the phrase “real-time electronic transmission of election results.”
A heavy security presence was deployed to the area, with personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps stationed around the National Assembly. The police barricaded the main entrance to prevent access into the complex.
Participants in the protest include members of various civil society organisations, representatives of women’s groups, and a small number of members of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC). Speaking to newsmen, some civil society leaders clarified that the protest was designed to remain peaceful, stressing that demonstrators had no intention of entering the National Assembly premises.
The protesters began their march from the Federal Secretariat, proceeding towards the National Assembly gate, where the demonstration is expected to continue.
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