Electoral Act Row: Pro-INEC Protest Hits Abuja

Pro-INEC Rally Holds in Abuja
Scores of protesters on Friday in Abuja marched in support of the Independent National Electoral Commission as debate over the Electoral Act 2026 continued ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The demonstrators, led by the Arewa Grassroots Leaders Assembly, moved from the National Assembly complex to the INEC headquarters, calling for backing for the electoral body despite recent criticism from opposition figures.

The protest came a day after the Senate rejected calls for another amendment to the Electoral Act. Some opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi, had pushed for a review of the new law, arguing that it raised concerns about the conduct of future elections.

The Senate advised that any grievances should be addressed through proper legislative channels.

At the INEC headquarters, the protesters carried placards and sang solidarity songs. Their leader, Collins Onogu, told journalists that the gathering was meant to show support for the commission and encourage it to continue its work.

He said the group believed that recent elections conducted under the present leadership of INEC showed progress.

He referred to the Anambra governorship election, the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections and bye-elections in Kano and Rivers States as examples of polls that were peaceful and better organised.

According to him, observer reports indicated improvements in logistics, early delivery of materials to polling units and better coordination with security agencies.

He also noted the inclusion of persons with disabilities and the use of young people as ad-hoc staff.

Onogu spoke about changes in electoral technology, especially upgrades to the INEC Result Viewing Portal. He said the system showed better stability and faster upload speeds during recent elections.

He added that the system was designed to prevent votes recorded from exceeding the number of accredited voters and allowed members of the public and political parties to view results online shortly after they were uploaded.

He also mentioned that each uploaded result carried details such as device identity and time stamps, which could assist in post-election checks.

The group urged INEC to continue improving digital tools and to work with other stakeholders to provide backup network options in areas with poor connectivity.

The protest took place amid wider discussions about the Electoral Act 2026, which was recently passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on February 18.

The law has generated debate over provisions relating to party primaries and election procedures.

In addition, INEC recently adjusted the timetable for the 2027 general elections. The commission fixed January 16, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, replacing its earlier February date.

The governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls were also rescheduled. The change in dates drew criticism from some groups who said the new schedule might clash with the Ramadan period.

Despite the ongoing debate, Friday’s rally focused on encouraging the electoral body to remain committed to organising credible elections as the country prepares for 2027.