Proceedings in the Nigerian National Assembly have been mired in significant controversy surrounding the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, as both the Senate and the House of Representatives grapple with motions to rescind earlier amendments and decisions, particularly concerning the electronic transmission of election results. This legislative drama has spilled into public protests, highlighting deep divisions over electoral transparency.

In the Senate, lawmakers commenced a clause-by-clause consideration of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, following a motion to rescind an earlier amendment which was formally seconded. This move allowed the 'red chamber' to dissolve into the Committee of the Whole for detailed reconsideration of the proposed legislation. Senate President Godswill Akpabio oversaw the deliberation, reeling out clauses for review. However, the process was stalled at Clause 60, dealing with the electronic transmission of results, when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC/Abia South) raised a point of order, leading to an immediate closed-door session.

Prior to this, concerns had been raised regarding the timing of the 2027 general elections and technical inconsistencies in the legislation. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) moved the motion to reverse the earlier passage of the bill, seeking to return it to the Committee of the Whole for fresh deliberations. He cited an announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixing the 2027 general elections for February 2027, which stakeholders argued conflicted with the amended law's requirement for elections to be scheduled not later than 360 days before the expiration of tenure. Specifically, the 360-day notice requirement in Clause 28 could lead to presidential and National Assembly elections coinciding with the Ramadan period. Muslim groups had called for a rescheduling. INEC had reportedly consulted with the National Assembly leadership, requesting a comprehensive review of affected clauses to grant the commission constitutional authority to adjust its election programme where necessary. Approximately 22 clauses were proposed for amendment, including Clause 60, which lawmakers had previously revised to make electronic transmission optional rather than mandatory. Senator Simon Lalong, who chairs the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, seconded the motion, urging fairness to the INEC chairperson and noting the law allows for amendments.

A parallel situation unfolded in the House of Representatives, where members walked out in protest against a move to reverse the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. After an executive session failed to resolve the issue, the House was plunged into a rowdy session. Francis Waive, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Rules and Business, moved a motion to reverse the House's earlier decision on the bill, which was passed on December 23, 2025. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the motion to a voice vote, and despite the 'nays' appearing louder, he controversially ruled that the 'ayes' had it, triggering widespread protests and accusations of bias. The uproar intensified over Clause 60(3), which mandates compulsory electronic transmission of results. The House had previously approved a provision for real-time upload of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) immediately after completing and signing Form EC8A. However, a revised provision created a loophole, allowing manual result sheets to prevail if electronic transmission failed due to network issues.

Amidst the legislative turmoil, unarmed citizens and activists converged at the National Assembly complex in Abuja under the banner of #OccupyNASS to demand mandatory electronic transmission of election results. These peaceful protests were met with force by armed police officers who fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowds. The chaotic scenes resulted in injuries to several demonstrators, and a seven-month-month-old baby and her mother were caught in the pandemonium, with the infant reportedly struggling to breathe after inhaling the fumes. Prominent figures such as former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili, former presidential candidates Omoyele Sowore (AAC) and Adewole Adebayo (SDP), joined the demonstration, urging vigilance and continued advocacy for electoral reforms. Activist Aisha Yesufu reacted strongly to the police action, describing the Nigeria Police Force as "the number one enemy of the people of Nigeria" and "the tool of oppression." Despite initial dispersal and subsequent reinforcements of armed police firing more tear gas, protesters regrouped, chanting "We no go gree, Akpabio pass the bill" and carrying placards demanding that lawmakers not alter the bill and ensure votes count.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, weighed in on the issue, asserting that if larger countries like India could conduct elections and transmit results electronically, Nigeria had no excuse. He highlighted India's success with nearly a billion registered voters, over a million polling stations, and electronic result transmission within days. Obi lamented that Nigeria, with a fraction of India's population and voter base, still struggles to conduct free, fair, and credible elections or transmit results promptly, even with low voter turnout. He attributed this disparity to a difference in leadership, arguing that while Indian leaders work for the welfare of their people, many Nigerian political figures implement policies that impoverish citizens. Obi called for leaders who prioritize the people, govern with integrity, and plan for a better tomorrow.

The unfolding events in both chambers of the National Assembly, coupled with the determined public protests and critical commentary from political figures, underscore a pivotal moment in Nigeria's quest for transparent and credible electoral processes. The fate of electronic transmission of results remains a deeply contentious issue at the heart of the nation's democratic reforms.