…As H’Reps protest
The 10th National Assembly was engulfed in dramatic scenes yesterday, as both chambers moved to revisit and amend key provisions of the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections, sparking protests, rowdy sessions and a sharply divided vote on electronic transmission of results.
The Senate amended Clause 28 of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026, reducing the statutory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days. The amendment grants the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) flexibility to schedule the 2027 general elections between December 2026 and January 2027.
Under the revised provision, INEC is required to publish a notice of election “not later than 300 days” before the poll, stating the date and venues for submission of nomination papers.
The amendment followed a Motion for rescission and recommittal moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who explained that the earlier 360-day notice requirement could push the presidential and National Assembly elections into the Ramadan period. According to him, conducting elections during Ramadan could negatively affect voter turnout, logistics, stakeholder participation and the overall credibility of the process.
Bamidele also cited discrepancies in the Bill’s Long Title and multiple clauses — including Clauses 6, 9, 10, 22, 23, 28, 29, 32, 42, 47, 51, 60, 62, 64, 65, 73, 77, 86, 87, 89, 93 and 143 — affecting cross-referencing, numbering and internal consistency.
Proceedings turned tense during clause-by-clause consideration, particularly over Clause 60, which deals with the transmission and collation of election results.
As the Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC, Abia South) demanded a division on Clause 60(3), opposing the proviso that allows manual collation where electronic transmission fails.
Abaribe sought the removal of the caveat permitting the manually completed Form EC8A to serve as the primary basis for collation in the event of network disruption.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin initially argued it would be out of order to revisit a provision already ruled upon, but Bamidele reminded lawmakers that the motion for rescission had nullified previous decisions on the Bill.
Following heated exchanges and a brief closed-door session, Akpabio put the matter to a division. In the vote, 55 senators supported retaining the manual backup clause, while 15 — led by Abaribe — opposed it.
With the majority prevailing, the Senate reaffirmed electronic transmission of polling unit results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV), but retained manual documentation as the legally decisive fallback where technology fails.
Under the provision, polling unit results are to be uploaded electronically, but the manually completed and signed Form EC8A will serve as the official basis for collation if electronic transmission is disrupted.
Some aggrieved lawmakers reportedly walked out after the vote.
Akpabio commended both camps, describing electronic transmission as a landmark innovation that enhances transparency, while insisting that elections are ultimately decided at polling units.
The Senate subsequently passed the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026, as amended.
In the House of Representatives, lawmakers also convened an emergency sitting to rescind and recommit the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025, earlier passed in December. Presiding over the session, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas described the exercise as a crucial national assignment that would shape preparations for the 2027 polls.
The Motion, sponsored by Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, invoked Order 9, Rule 6 of the House Standing Orders to rescind the Bill following the discovery of inconsistencies and unintended consequences during harmonisation by a joint technical committee of both chambers.
Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, seconded the motion, stressing the need to ensure maximum participation, fairness and public confidence in the electoral process.
However, tension flared when Abbas put the question to a voice vote. Despite loud shouts of “nay” from many lawmakers, the Speaker ruled in favour of the “ayes” and struck the gavel, triggering protests and a rowdy atmosphere in the chamber.
The uproar forced the House into a closed-door executive session to restore order and deliberate further.
The legislative drama unfolded amid sustained protests by civil society groups and youth movements under the banner of “Occupy the National Assembly,” warning against any attempt to weaken electoral safeguards ahead of the 2027 elections.
Although electronic transmission remains in place, the retention of manual backup has continued to generate debate within political circles, with critics arguing it could open the door to manipulation, while supporters insist it provides a necessary safeguard against technical failure.
