The Senate on Tuesday began an emergency plenary session to address growing controversy surrounding recent amendments to the Electoral Act, as protests broke out around the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

The extraordinary sitting follows the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026, less than a week ago, and focuses on the removal of a clause mandating the real-time electronic transmission of election results.

The decision has triggered widespread criticism from civil society organisations, opposition parties, labour unions, professional groups, regional leaders and youth movements, who argue that the amendment could undermine the credibility and transparency of future elections.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio is presiding over the session, which commenced at noon and is being attended by the remaining senators following recent changes in the composition of the upper legislative chamber.

Deliberations are expected to centre largely on the disputed Electoral Act provisions, while protesters continue to demonstrate outside the National Assembly.

The emergency plenary was announced on Sunday in a statement signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, citing the need to urgently address public concerns over the amendments.