By Peter Dansu An unusual and dramatic scene played out on Monday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja as protesters arrived with matt...
By Peter Dansu
An unusual and dramatic scene played out on Monday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja as protesters arrived with mattresses and pillows to press home their demand over the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act.
The demonstrators, who gathered at the entrance of the complex, were seen carrying bedding materials while some went as far as lying on them at the protest ground, creating a striking visual that immediately drew public attention.
The protest was centred on calls for lawmakers to make real time electronic transmission of election results from polling units mandatory in the amended Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Chanting slogans and holding placards, the protesters insisted that the new legislation must clearly state “real time electronic transmission” to remove any form of ambiguity that could allow manipulation of election results.
The demonstration comes amid growing controversy over the proposed amendment, with many Nigerians urging the National Assembly to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to transmit results electronically as votes are counted.
However, some lawmakers have maintained that the provision should remain discretionary, pointing to logistical challenges and infrastructural limitations in certain parts of the country.
Despite repeated clarifications from the Senate denying reports that it had rejected the clause, the protesters remained resolute, insisting that only a clear and compulsory inclusion in the law would guarantee credible elections.
Security operatives were heavily deployed around the National Assembly complex to maintain order as the protest continued, ensuring that the situation remained peaceful while the demonstrators voiced their demands.
The unusual use of mattresses and pillows was widely interpreted as a symbolic message that the protesters were prepared to stay for as long as it takes until their voices are heard, reflecting the growing public pressure on lawmakers over electoral reforms ahead of 2027.
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