The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a strong warning to the Senate, threatening nationwide protests and a possible boycott of elections over what it described as conflicting and unclear positions on amendments to the Electoral Act, especially on electronic transmission of election results.
The labour union accused lawmakers of eroding public trust in the electoral process by failing to clearly state whether electronic transmission of results would be compulsory.
In a statement released on Sunday, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the Congress was troubled by what he called “confusion and contradictory narratives” coming from the Senate on the Electoral Act 2022 amendment.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) 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 NLC, uncertainty around the Senate’s decision poses a serious threat to electoral credibility, stressing that “Nigerians deserve a transparent system where votes are not only counted but seen to be counted.”
The union noted that available records indicate that the proposal to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results electronically in real time was rejected, with lawmakers retaining INEC’s discretionary powers instead.
“Public records suggest the proposed amendment to mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results electronically in real time was not adopted, with the existing discretionary provision retained,” the statement read.
The NLC added that the explanations offered so far have only worsened public anxiety.
“This has generated nationwide apprehension, and subsequent explanations have only added to the confusion,” it said.
Warning of the broader implications, the Congress said legislative uncertainty at a time when confidence in elections is already fragile could permanently damage the system. It therefore demanded that the Senate issue an “immediate, official, and unambiguous account” of what was eventually passed, including the final wording and justification.
“The National Assembly leadership must also ensure the harmonisation process produces a final bill with crystal-clear provisions; any ambiguity in the transmission and collation of results is a disservice to our democracy,” the union said.
Insisting on a firm legal framework, the NLC said the amended law must clearly compel INEC to transmit and collate results electronically from polling units in real time, warning of severe consequences if this is not done.
“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 warned.
It added, “Nigerian workers and citizens are watching closely. Our nation must choose the path of clarity and integrity. We need to avoid the same confusion that trailed the new Tax Acts. The time for honest, people-focused legislation is now.”
The warning follows the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026 on February 4, after rejecting Clause 60(3), which sought to mandate presiding officers to transmit results directly to INEC’s portal in real time.
Instead, the Senate retained provisions allowing electronic “transfer” of results only after votes have been counted and announced at polling units.
The decision has drawn criticism from civil society organisations and opposition figures, who see it as a reversal in electoral reforms. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, however, has defended the chamber’s action, insisting that electronic transmission was not rejected and saying the Senate would not be intimidated.
Amid the growing backlash, the Senate has scheduled an emergency plenary for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, where the controversial amendment may be revisited in response to public pressure and looming legal challenges.
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