Electoral Act: NLC Threatens Mass Action Over Senate’s Rejection Of Real-Time Transmission Of Results

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Sunday threatened mass action against the Nigerian Senate over its rejection of real-time transmission of election results in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act.

The Congress said explanations so far offered by the Senate leadership lacked clarity, noting that the development undermines public trust and is deeply troubling for Nigeria’s democracy.

President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, called on the Senate to restore legislative credibility by ensuring that the amendment process is transparent and that its outcomes are clear.

Daily Trust reports that controversies have continued to trail the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly over the real-time transmission of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

While many Nigerians have called on lawmakers to make real-time electronic transmission of results mandatory, some legislators have argued that it should remain discretionary.

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

According to him, Nigeria must choose the path of clarity and integrity, warning against a repeat of the confusion that followed the passage of the new Tax Acts.

The labour leader stressed that the time for honest, people-focused legislation is now.

He added: “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.

“This lack of clarity undermines public trust and is deeply troubling for our democracy.

“The Nigerian people deserve a transparent electoral process where their votes are not only counted but seen to be counted. We urge the Senate to provide an immediate, official, and unambiguous account of its proceedings and final decisions.

“Public records suggest the proposed amendment to mandate INEC to transmit results electronically in real time was not adopted, with the existing discretionary provision retained.

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

“At a critical juncture following the 2023 elections, such legislative ambiguity risks institutionalising doubt at the heart of our electoral integrity and echoes past controversies that have caused national distress.

“Therefore, the NLC demands immediate clarity and transparency. The Senate must issue a definitive statement on the exact provisions passed, clarifying the final wording and rationale.

“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.

“We call on the Senate to restore legislative credibility by ensuring its processes are transparent and its outcomes clear.

“The amended Act must provide an unambiguous mandate for INEC to electronically transmit and collate results from polling units in real time. The path to the 2027 elections must be built on certainty, not confusion.”

According to him, Nigerian workers and citizens are watching developments closely, adding that the NLC is mobilising its networks to advocate clarity and integrity.

“We will not stand by while the trust of Nigerians is betrayed again and the clarity of our electoral laws compromised,” he said.