The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened nationwide protests and possible election boycotts over what it described as confusion and contradictory positions by the Senate on amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly regarding electronic transmission of results.
In a statement on Sunday, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the Senate’s lack of clarity undermines public confidence in the electoral process.
“Nigerians deserve a transparent system where votes are not only counted but seen to be counted,” Ajaero stressed.
The union noted that the Senate rejected a clause that would have made real-time electronic transmission of results mandatory, instead retaining a discretionary provision that allows electronic transfer only after votes are counted and announced at polling units.
The NLC warned that such “legislative ambiguity” could institutionalise doubt in the electoral system, especially after the controversies of the 2023 elections.
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It demanded that the Senate issue an immediate, unambiguous explanation of the provisions passed and ensure harmonisation produces a final bill with clear rules.
“Failure to add electronic transmission in real time will lead to mass action before, during and after the election, or total boycott of the election,” the Congress warned.
Civil society groups and opposition parties have also criticised the Senate’s decision, describing it as a setback for democratic progress. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, however, defended the chamber, insisting the Senate did not reject electronic transmission and vowing not to be intimidated.
The Senate has scheduled an emergency plenary for February 10, 2026, where the rejected amendment may be reconsidered amid public outcry and potential legal challenges.
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