NLC demands Senate clarification on Electoral Act amendment

From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised the alarm over what it described as confusion and contradictory narratives surrounding the Senate’s amendment of the 2022 Electoral Act, particularly on the issue of electronic transmission of election results.

In a statement signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, over the weekend, the NLC said the lack of clarity from the Senate was undermining public trust and posing a serious threat to Nigeria’s electoral integrity, insisting that Nigerians deserve a transparent process where votes are not only counted but seen to be counted.

The Congress noted that public records suggest that a proposal to mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results electronically in real time was not adopted, with the existing discretionary provision retained.

According to the NLC, this development has generated nationwide apprehension, while subsequent explanations from the Senate have only deepened the confusion.

The labour body warned that at a critical period following the 2023 general elections, legislative ambiguity on such a sensitive issue could institutionalise doubt at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy and revive controversies that previously caused widespread national tension.

It said: “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.”

The Congress cautioned that Nigerian workers and citizens were closely monitoring developments, noting that it was mobilising its networks to advocate for electoral integrity. It warned that failure to clearly provide for real-time electronic transmission of results could lead to mass action before, during and after elections, or even a total boycott.

“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. The time for honest, people-focused legislation is now,” it added.