The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a warning to the Senate, demanding the immediate inclusion of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act amendment or risk “mass action before, during and after the election or total boycott of the election,” declaring that “electoral integrity is at stake.”In a statement tagged ‘The Senate Must Come CLEAN Now: Electoral Integrity at Stake’, signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC said it was expressing “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,” warning that “this lack of clarity undermines public trust and is deeply troubling for our democracy.”The labour centre stressed that “the Nigerian people deserve a transparent electoral process where their votes are not only counted but seen to be counted,” insisting that the Senate must “provide an immediate, official, and unambiguous account of its proceedings and final decisions. ALSO READ: Electoral Act: Senate summons emergency plenary“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,” a development it said has “generated nationwide apprehension,” noting that “subsequent explanations have only added to the confusion.”Placing the controversy within Nigeria’s recent electoral history, the Congress warned that “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.”The NLC therefore demanded “immediate clarity and transparency,” insisting that “the Senate must issue a definitive statement on the exact provisions passed, clarifying the final wording and rationale,” while adding that “the National Assembly leadership must also ensure the harmonisation process produces a final bill with crystal-clear provisions,” stressing that “any ambiguity in the transmission and collation of results is a disservice to our democracy.”Calling for a restoration of confidence in the legislature, the statement said, “We call on the Senate to restore legislative credibility by ensuring its processes are transparent and its outcomes clear,” adding that “the amended Act must provide an unambiguous mandate for INEC to electronically transmit and collate results from polling units in real-time.”Looking ahead to the next general election, the Congress declared that “the path to the 2027 elections must be built on certainty, not confusion,” warning lawmakers that “Nigerian workers and citizens are watching closely.”The NLC said it was already mobilising, noting that “the NLC is working within its networks to advocate for clarity and integrity,” and issuing a blunt caution: “We will not stand by while the trusts of Nigerians are betrayed again and the clarity of our electoral laws compromised.”In one of its most serious threats yet on electoral reform, the labour centre warned that “failure to add electronic transmission real-time will lead to mass action before, during and after the election or total boycott of the election,” adding that “our nation must choose the path of clarity and integrity.”Drawing parallels with recent legislative controversies, the NLC cautioned that “we need to avoid the same confusion that trailed the new Tax Acts,” insisting that “the time for honest, people-focused legislation is now.”

Source: Nigerian Tribune February 08, 2026 19:47 UTC