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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to embark on a nationwide protest and possibly boycott future elections over what it described as confusion and conflicting positions by the Senate on the amendment of the Electoral Act, particularly regarding the electronic transmission of election results.
The NLC accused the Senate of undermining public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process, warning that the failure to clearly state whether electronic transmission of results would be made mandatory could weaken the credibility of elections.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed deep concern over what he described as contradictory reports emerging from the Senate following the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
According to the labour union, the lack of clarity poses a serious threat to electoral transparency and public trust, stressing that Nigerians deserve a system that is not only transparent but also visibly credible.
The NLC noted that available information indicates the Senate rejected an amendment that would have compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to electronically transmit election results simultaneously from polling units, instead retaining provisions that give INEC discretionary powers similar to the existing framework.
The union said the development has generated widespread anxiety across the country, while subsequent explanations from lawmakers have further deepened public confusion.
It warned that what it described as a “legal ambiguity” at such a critical time—coming after the 2023 general elections—could cast doubt on the integrity of future elections.
The NLC therefore called on the Senate to issue an urgent, official, and unambiguous clarification on the exact provisions approved, including the final wording of the law and the rationale behind the decisions taken.
According to the statement, the leadership of the National Assembly must ensure that the harmonisation process produces a clear and definitive law, warning that any uncertainty surrounding the transmission and collation of election results amounts to an affront to Nigeria’s democracy.
The labour union insisted that the amended Electoral Act must contain explicit provisions mandating INEC to electronically transmit and collate results directly from polling units in real time. It warned that failure to do so could trigger strong resistance.
“Failure to mandate real-time electronic transmission of election results will lead to mass action before, during, and after elections, or a complete boycott of the electoral process,” the NLC warned.
The threat follows the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026 after its third reading on February 4, 2026.
During the passage, the Senate rejected Section 60(3) of the bill, which sought to compel presiding officers at polling units to electronically transmit results directly and simultaneously to INEC’s result viewing portal. The provision was replaced with a clause granting INEC the discretion to transmit results after votes have been counted and announced at polling units.
The decision has drawn criticism from civil society groups and opposition parties, who described it as a setback to Nigeria’s democratic progress.
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio defended the Senate’s action, insisting that electronic transmission of results had not been abolished and stating that the legislature would not be intimidated.
Meanwhile, the Senate has scheduled an emergency session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, amid growing public pressure and the possibility of legal challenges from senior lawyers, including human rights advocate Femi Falana. The outcome of the session could have significant implications for the future of Nigeria’s electoral system and democratic credibility.
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