NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed concern over the Senate’s lack of clarity, saying it undermines public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened mass action, including protests and potential election boycotts, over what it calls contradictory positions by the Senate on amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly the electronic transmission of results.
NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed concern over the Senate’s lack of clarity, saying it undermines public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
“Nigerians deserve a transparent system where votes are not only counted but seen to be counted,” he said.
The labour union noted that the Senate rejected a proposed amendment to make electronic transmission of results mandatory, retaining a provision that leaves the process at the discretion of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the NLC, this ambiguity risks eroding trust in the electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The National Assembly must provide an immediate, official, and unambiguous account of the provisions passed,” the statement added, warning that failure to mandate real-time electronic transmission could trigger nationwide action before, during, and after the elections.
The controversy follows the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026 on February 4, 2026.
While the House of Representatives had approved mandatory electronic transmission, the Senate removed the term “real-time,” citing legal and technical concerns.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio explained that the change gives INEC flexibility to choose the most suitable transmission method while maintaining the integrity of the process.
Despite the disagreement, the bill introduces reforms including digital voter identification using QR codes and stiffer penalties for electoral offences.
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