The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned of nationwide protests and election boycotts, accusing the Senate of creating “dangerous confusion” over amendments to the Electoral Act, especially regarding electronic transmission of results.
NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed deep concern over contradictory statements from lawmakers, saying the lack of clarity threatens public trust in Nigeria’s elections. “Nigerians deserve a transparent system where votes are not only counted but seen to be counted,” he said.
The labour body demanded an immediate, official clarification on the exact provisions passed and the rationale behind them. It called on National Assembly leaders to harmonize the bill to ensure crystal-clear guidelines for transmitting and collating results.
The warning comes after the Senate passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026 on February 4, 2026, but rejected Clause 60(3), which would have made real-time electronic transmission of results mandatory. The replacement clause only allows transmission after votes are counted and publicly announced—a move critics say undermines transparency.
Failure to mandate real-time electronic transmission, the NLC warned, could trigger “mass action before, during, and after the election—or a total boycott.”
Senate President Akpabio defended the chamber, insisting electronic transmission was not rejected. An emergency plenary is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, potentially reopening debate amid public outcry and looming legal challenges.
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