The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has faulted the Senate over its recent amendment of the 2022 Electoral Act, raising concerns over provisions relating to the electronic transmission of election results.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, expressed the union’s position in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, saying contradictory narratives from the Senate were eroding public trust and threatening Nigeria’s democratic process.
According to Ajaero, Nigerians deserved a transparent electoral system where votes are not only counted but clearly seen to be counted.
“Any ambiguity surrounding electronic transmission of results undermines electoral credibility and threatens the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Nigerians deserve an electoral system where votes are not only counted but are clearly seen to be counted by all stakeholders.
“The Senate must urgently clarify the exact provisions passed and the rationale behind its decisions to restore public confidence,” he said.
Ajaero urged the Senate to provide an immediate, official and unambiguous account of its proceedings and final decisions on the Electoral Act amendment.
He noted that public records indicated that the proposal mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to transmit election results electronically in real time was not adopted, with discretionary provisions retained.
The NLC president said the development had generated nationwide apprehension, adding that conflicting explanations from lawmakers had further deepened public confusion.
According to him, such legislative ambiguity risks institutionalising doubt within the electoral system, especially in the wake of controversies that trailed the 2023 general elections.
Ajaero called on the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure that the harmonisation process produced a final bill with clear and enforceable provisions.
He warned that any ambiguity in the transmission and collation of election results would amount to a serious disservice to Nigeria’s democracy.
The NLC president further urged the Senate to restore legislative credibility by ensuring transparency in its processes and clarity in its outcomes.
He also called for an unambiguous legal mandate compelling INEC to electronically transmit and collate results from polling units in real time.
Ajaero said preparations for the 2027 general elections must be built on certainty and transparency rather than confusion.
He added that Nigerian workers and citizens were closely monitoring developments and would continue to advocate for electoral integrity and accountability.
According to him, actions capable of eroding public confidence or compromising the clarity of the nation’s electoral laws would not be acceptable to the NLC.
He urged lawmakers to prioritise people-focused legislation and avoid a repeat of controversies that accompanied recent amendments to tax laws.
Ajaero said the NLC remained committed to democratic values, stressing that clarity, integrity and transparent laws were essential to Nigeria’s stability.
NAN
