NLC threatens nationwide action over electoral act changes

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned of possible nationwide protests and a boycott of future elections over what it described as confusion and contradictory positions by the Senate on amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly the electronic transmission of election results.

In a statement issued on Sunday, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the Senate’s handling of the amendment process was eroding public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress expresses deep concern over the confusion and contradictory narratives emerging from the Senate regarding the amendment to the 2022 Electoral Act, particularly on electronic transmission of results,” he said.

Ajaero noted that public records suggest a proposal to make electronic transmission of results mandatory was rejected, with the Senate retaining INEC’s discretionary powers.

“This has generated nationwide apprehension, and subsequent explanations have only added to the confusion,” he said.

According to the NLC, the lack of clarity threatens electoral integrity and public trust.

“Nigerians deserve a transparent system where votes are not only counted but seen to be counted,” the statement said.

The labour union demanded that the Senate provide an “immediate, official and unambiguous account” of the exact provisions passed, including the final wording and the reasons behind its decision.

It also urged the National Assembly leadership to ensure that the harmonisation process produces a final bill with “crystal-clear provisions” on the transmission and collation of results.

Insisting that the amended law must compel INEC to transmit and collate results electronically in real time, the NLC warned that failure to do so could trigger mass action.

“Failure to add electronic transmission in real time will lead to mass action before, during and after the election or total boycott of the election,” the Congress said.

The warning follows the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026 on February 4, during which lawmakers rejected an amendment to Clause 60(3) that would have made electronic transmission mandatory.

Instead, the Senate retained the provision allowing results to be transmitted “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.”

The decision has drawn criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups, particularly as it differs from the position of the House of Representatives, which had earlier approved mandatory electronic transmission.

Both chambers are expected to harmonise their versions of the bill before forwarding it to the President for assent.

Reacting to the controversy, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the Senate did not scrap electronic transmission of results but only removed the term “real time” to avoid legal and technical challenges.

“The change allows INEC the flexibility to adopt the most suitable method of transmission, taking into account network and security challenges,” he said, adding that the Senate remained committed to laws that reflect the will of Nigerians.

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Despite the controversy, the amendment bill also introduces additional reforms, including digital voter identification using QR codes and stiffer penalties for electoral offences.