Security was heightened at the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Monday as protesters gathered at the entrance of the legislature, demanding the explicit inclusion of real-time electronic transmission of election results in the ongoing electoral amendment bill.
The protesters, operating under the banner “Occupy National Assembly,” insisted that the Senate must clearly provide for electronic transmission of results, despite recent statements by the upper chamber denying claims that it had rejected the proposal.
A heavy presence of security operatives, including personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, was observed at the scene to maintain order.
The demonstration attracted members of various civil society organisations, women’s groups, and a small number of opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) members, who converged at the main entrance of the National Assembly as the protest commenced.
The protest followed an announcement on Sunday by human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who disclosed that the National Opposition Movement would mobilise citizens to resist what he described as the removal of electronic transmission of election results from the bill.
In a post on his verified X handle, Sowore warned that the alleged move could undermine the credibility of future elections and called on Nigerians to support the #OccupyNASS protest in defence of transparent and credible electoral processes.
