By Jane Okeke
Pandemonium erupted on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the National Assembly complex, Abuja, after police dispersed protesters with teargas during a rally demanding mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The demonstrators, who assembled as early as 9:00 a.m. at the Democracy Avenue entrance to the National Assembly, had staged what organisers described as a peaceful protest calling for reforms to the Electoral Act to guarantee credible elections.
However, around noon, security operatives moved in and fired teargas to disperse the crowd after protesters reportedly blocked access roads leading to the complex.
The protesters insisted that lawmakers adopt provisions mandating unconditional electronic transmission of polling unit results.
Speaking earlier, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, said the protest formed part of a broader citizens’ movement for electoral integrity.
“This whole struggle is about the future of Nigeria,” Mamedu said.
“Millions of Nigerians are demanding that their votes count — for president, governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, and state assemblies. The mandate of citizens is simple: to decide who occupies those seats.”
He argued that declining voter turnout reflects eroding public trust in the electoral system.
According to him, while Nigeria boasts nearly 98 percent network coverage, voter turnout has hovered around 23 percent in recent elections.
“If we have 98 percent network coverage, that is excellence anywhere in the world,” he said. “The 2 percent gap cannot be the reason to deny Nigerians real-time electronic transmission of results.”
The protest comes amid harmonisation of two versions of proposed amendments to the Electoral Act passed separately by the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Civil society organisations, including the Nigeria Situation Room, urged the conference committee to adopt the House of Representatives’ version, which they described as more reflective of citizens’ demands.
Among those present at the rally were human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili.
Protesters warned lawmakers against yielding to political pressure or financial inducements.
“History will judge members of this committee,” the ActionAid Country Director said. “Their children will one day ask whether they stood for Nigeria or against her.”
Human rights lawyers at the rally also warned that failure to adopt the House version could trigger widespread litigation. They threatened to file over 1,000 public interest lawsuits should the harmonised bill fail to mandate unconditional electronic transmission of election results, a development they said could affect preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Civil rights groups criticised the use of teargas, describing the protest as peaceful before police intervention.
Despite the disruption, organisers vowed to sustain the campaign until lawmakers adopt what they termed “the people’s version” of the Electoral Act amendment.
Police Fire Teargas at Protesters Demanding Mandatory E-Transmission of Election Results
