By Bassey Udo
Confusion and contradictory narratives from the Senate over the 2022 Electoral Act amendment on electronic transmission of election results are undermining public trust and democracy, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said.
Describing the development as deeply troubling for the country’s democracy, the central labour body said the Nigerian people deserve a transparent electoral process where their votes are not only counted, but seen to be counted.
The NLC in a statement by its National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, urged the Senate to provide an immediate, official, and unambiguous account of its proceedings and final decisions on the matter.
“Public records suggest the proposed amendment to mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission (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,” the NLC noted.
At a critical juncture following the 2023 elections, the NLC said such legislative ambiguity risks institutionalising doubt at the heart of the country’s electoral integrity and echoes past controversies that have caused national distress.
The NLC demanded immediate clarity and transparency, adding that the Senate must issue a definitive statement on the exact provisions passed, clarifying the final wording and rationale.
Also, it urged the National Assembly leadership to ensure the harmonisation process produces a final bill with crystal-clear provisions, adding that any ambiguity in the transmission and collation of results would be a disservice to the country’s democracy.
Labour called on the Senate to restore legislative credibility by ensuring its processes were 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,” it said.
Nigerian workers and citizens, the NLC said, are watching closely, saying it was working within its networks to advocate for clarity and integrity.
Warning that Labour would not stand by while the trusts of Nigerians are betrayed again and the clarity of our electoral laws compromised, the NLC warned that failure to add electronic transmission of election results real-time would lead to mass action before, during and after the election or total boycott of the elections.
“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. A people united, can never be defeated! Workers united, can never be defeated!” the NLC said.
