The Nigeria Labour Congress, has warned of potential nationwide protests and election boycotts, citing confusion and contradictory statements by the Senate regarding amendments to the Electoral Act, especially on the electronic transmission of election results.
In a statement on Sunday, NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed concern that the Senate’s handling of the bill could undermine public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.
“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,” Ajaero said.
According to the union, the absence of clarity threatens electoral integrity, adding: “Nigerians deserve a transparent system where votes are not only counted but seen to be counted.”
The NLC noted that the proposed amendment, which would have made electronic transmission of results from polling units mandatory, was rejected.
Instead, the Senate retained a discretionary provision allowing results to be transmitted electronically only after votes are counted and publicly announced at polling units.
“This legislative ambiguity, especially after the 2023 general elections, risks institutionalising doubt within our electoral system,” the union added.
The labour body has demanded that the Senate provide “an immediate, official, and unambiguous account” of the provisions passed, including the rationale behind its decisions.
Ajaero further warned: “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 warning follows the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026 during its third reading on February 4, 2026. The Senate voted down Clause 60(3), which sought to make real-time electronic transmission mandatory.
Senate President Akpabio, however, defended the chamber’s actions, insisting the Senate did not reject electronic transmission and said the upper chamber would not be intimidated by public pressure.
