Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has publicly declared her support for retaining the real-time electronic transmission of election results in Nigeria’s Electoral Act, saying that voters deserve a system that fosters trust and accurately reflects their choices.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, ahead of a critical Senate session to revisit controversial changes to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026, Akpoti-Uduaghan said her stance represents a shift in the wider debate as lawmakers face mounting pressure to restore the explicit “real-time” language to the law.
“As I step into the Senate chamber today, I carry with me the hopes and expectations of millions of Nigerians who yearn for stronger democratic safeguards,” she wrote, adding that real-time electronic transmission is essential for deepening transparency, safeguarding the people’s mandate, and bolstering confidence in the electoral process.
She argued that Nigeria’s democracy must evolve to include systems that ensure every vote counts and every voice is represented, saying the public deserves elections that inspire trust, strengthen unity and truly reflect the will of the people.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s position comes amid widespread public outcry and protests at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, where Nigerians and civil society organisations have condemned the Senate’s earlier decision to delete the phrase “real-time” from provisions governing electronic transmission of results.
The demonstrations — collectively known as #OccupyTheNationalAssembly — intensified after the Senate passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, without the specific “real-time” clause. Critics have argued this omission could create opportunities for manipulation and weaken safeguards ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While the Senate has maintained that electronic transmission was not entirely removed, opponents argue that the absence of explicit “real-time” wording undermines transparency and public trust in the electoral process.