The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has threatened nationwide mass action and a possible boycott of future elections if the amendment to the Electoral Act, 2022, fails to mandate real-time electronic transmission and collation of election results.
The labour union made its position known in a statement issued on Sunday by its President, Joe Ajaero, titled “The Senate Must Come Clean Now: Electoral Integrity at Stake.”
The NLC accused the Senate of creating uncertainty over the status of electronic transmission of results, warning that ambiguity in the law undermines public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The threat comes as the Senate prepares to reconvene plenary on Tuesday for an emergency sitting following public backlash over its rejection of a proposal to make real-time electronic transmission of results mandatory.
According to the NLC, conflicting explanations from lawmakers on whether electronic transmission was removed or retained have generated confusion and widespread apprehension across the country.
The union insisted that Nigerians deserve a transparent electoral process where votes are not only counted but are seen to be counted.
It noted that public records indicate the Senate retained the discretionary provision of the Electoral Act, 2022, rather than compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to transmit results electronically in real time.
The NLC warned that legislative ambiguity at this stage risks institutionalising doubt in Nigeria’s electoral integrity, especially in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections.
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The labour centre demanded that the Senate immediately issue a clear and unambiguous statement clarifying the exact provisions passed and the rationale behind them.
It also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure that the harmonisation process produces a final bill with explicit provisions mandating electronic transmission and collation of results from polling units.
According to the NLC, failure to remove ambiguity from the amended law would amount to a betrayal of public trust.
The union cautioned that Nigeria’s path to the 2027 general elections must be built on certainty and transparency, not confusion.
It warned that failure to mandate real-time electronic transmission would trigger mass action before, during and after elections, or a total boycott of the polls.
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has ordered an emergency plenary sitting, directing all senators to attend.
The decision followed outrage over the Senate’s rejection of a proposed amendment to Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026, which sought to compel INEC to transmit results electronically to the IREV portal in real time
During plenary, the Senate adopted the existing provision of the 2022 Act, which allows results to be transferred “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.”
Akpabio later dismissed claims that electronic transmission was removed, insisting that the Senate merely retained the existing framework.
However, opposition lawmakers countered the claim, saying what was agreed during engagements on the bill was mandatory electronic transmission of results.
Explaining the Senate’s position, Akpabio said making real-time electronic transmission compulsory could lead to legal disputes in the event of network failures during elections.
He added that INEC should retain discretion over the method of transmitting results.
Reacting, former Senate President David Mark cautioned Akpabio against speaking on behalf of INEC, insisting that lawmakers should pass the law and allow the electoral body determine its implementation.
Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society groups under the Movement for Credible Elections has announced plans to stage an “Occupy NASS” protest, accusing the National Assembly of attempting to weaken electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 polls.
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