E-Transmission Reversal Sparks Fury: NLC Threatens Mass Action, Election Boycott

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that it may mobilise nationwide protests or advocate a boycott of future elections over what it described as the Senate’s inconsistent position on amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act, particularly regarding the electronic transmission of election results.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released on Sunday, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the Senate’s handling of the amendment risks eroding public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system and democratic process.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress expresses grave concern over the confusion and conflicting explanations coming from the Senate on the amendment to the 2022 Electoral Act,” Ajaero said.

On February 4, the Senate passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026 but rejected Clause 60(3), which sought to make real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) mandatory.

Instead, lawmakers retained the existing provision that leaves electronic transmission discretionary and allows results to be transmitted only after votes have been counted and publicly declared at polling units—a decision that has drawn criticism from civil society organisations and opposition parties.

According to the NLC, public records indicate that the proposed mandatory real-time transmission was not adopted, while the discretionary clause remained intact.

“This has triggered widespread concern across the country, and the explanations that followed have only deepened the confusion,” the union said.

The NLC accused the Senate of entrenching uncertainty at a critical moment, warning that vague legislative language—especially after the disputed 2023 elections—could severely undermine electoral credibility.

“Legislative ambiguity at this stage is a disservice to democracy. Nigerians deserve a transparent electoral system where votes are not only counted but clearly seen to be counted,” Ajaero stated.

The labour body demanded a clear and authoritative explanation of the amendment’s final wording, including why real-time electronic transmission was rejected.

It also urged the National Assembly leadership to ensure that the harmonisation process produces a final bill with explicit and unambiguous provisions.

The NLC warned that failure to clearly mandate real-time electronic transmission could trigger mass action before, during, or after the next elections, or even lead to a complete boycott of the polls.

“Failure to make real-time electronic transmission compulsory will result in mass action or total election boycott,” the statement read, adding that Nigerians are closely monitoring developments.

The union also referenced recent confusion surrounding the Tax Reform Acts, urging lawmakers to avoid repeating similar legislative missteps.

In response to growing criticism, Senate President Godswill Akpabio defended the chamber’s position, insisting that the Senate did not completely reject electronic transmission and stressing that it would not bow to public pressure.

However, the Senate has scheduled an emergency plenary session for Tuesday, February 10, fueling speculation that the disputed clause may be reconsidered, especially amid potential legal challenges reportedly being explored by figures such as Femi Falana (SAN).

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