NLC WARNS OF MASS PROTEST OVER E-TRANSMISSION OF ELECTION RESULTS
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BY JENN NOMAMIUKOR
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned of a big protest and possible boycott of the elections if the real–time sharing of election results is not added to the new version of the Electoral Act 2022.
In a statement on Sunday, Joe Ajaero, the president of NLC, said the Electoral Act needs to give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a clear instruction to send and collect results from polling places in real–time electronically.
On February 4, the Senate voted against a proposal that would require election results to be broadcast live during the discussion of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
However, the senate retained the existing provision for electronic transfer of election results as contained in the Electoral Act, 2022.
The amendment intends to make electronic transmission compulsory, ensure it is real-time, and link it directly to INEC result viewing portal (IReV).
Right now, the law does not require INEC to send election results online as they happen. They still mostly use old ways, like sending results by hand and sorting them out manually. Even though there is a system called IReV, it’s not being used for real–time results.
The rejection has triggered public outrage and renewed distrust in the electoral system.
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‘NIGERIANS DESERVE TRANSPARENT ELECTORAL PROCESS’
In the statement, Ajaero said the labour congress is deeply concerned about the “confusion and contradictory narratives emerging from the senate” pertaining to the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022.
The NLC president demanded “immediate clarity and transparency” on the “exact provisions passed” during the amendment of the extant Electoral Act.
“The Nigerian people deserve a transparent electoral process where their votes are not only counted but seen to be counted,” the statement reads.
“We urge the Senate to provide an immediate, official, and unambiguous account of its proceedings and final decisions.
“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. This has generated nationwide apprehension, and subsequent explanations have only added to the confusion.
“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.
“Therefore, the NLC demands immediate clarity and transparency. The Senate must issue a definitive statement on the exact provisions passed, clarifying the final wording and rationale.
“The National Assembly leadership must also ensure the harmonisation process produces a final bill with crystal-clear provisions; any ambiguity in the transmission and collation of results is a disservice to our democracy.
“We call on the Senate to restore legislative credibility by ensuring its processes are transparent and its outcomes clear. The amended Act must provide an unambiguous mandate for INEC to electronically transmit and collate results from polling units in real-time. The path to the 2027 elections must be built on certainty, not confusion.
“Nigerian workers and citizens are watching closely. The NLC is working within its networks to advocate for clarity and integrity. We will not stand by while the trusts of Nigerians are betrayed again and the clarity of our electoral laws compromised.
“Failure to add electronic transmission real-time will lead to mass action before, during and after the election or total boycott of the Election. Our nation must choose the path of clarity and integrity. We need to avoid the same confusion that trailed the new Tax Acts.”
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