Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, on Tuesday joined protesters at the National Assembly in Abuja, calling for the mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in Nigeria.
Ezekwesili urged lawmakers to amend the Electoral Act to make electronic transmission of results from polling units to the central server compulsory. She argued that leaving the provision optional creates room for manipulation and undermines public trust in elections.
According to her, credible elections depend on transparent processes that can be independently verified. She maintained that real-time transmission would reduce disputes, limit human interference, and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system.
The protest, led by civil society groups and electoral reform advocates, focused on ensuring that future elections reflect the true will of voters. Demonstrators carried placards demanding stronger legal backing for technology-driven result management.
The debate over electronic transmission has remained a recurring issue since the 2023 general elections, with stakeholders divided over its implementation and legal clarity within the current Electoral Act.
Lawmakers are yet to formally respond to the specific demands raised during the protest.
