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The Digest:

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened nationwide protests and possible election boycotts over what it calls confusion regarding the Senate’s amendment to the Electoral Act on electronic transmission of results. NLC President Joe Ajaero stated the Senate’s contradictory positions undermine public trust in the electoral process. The union demands an immediate, clear account of the final provisions passed, insisting that the law must mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results electronically in real-time. The Senate recently rejected a clause to make e-transmission mandatory, retaining INEC's discretionary power.

Key Points:
  • Voters face renewed uncertainty about the integrity and transparency of future elections.
  • Ambiguity in the law could lead to disputes, legal challenges, and increased election-related costs.
  • INEC retains discretionary power, while advocates for electoral transparency lose a key accountability measure.
  • The legislative confusion erodes confidence in democratic institutions at a critical time.
  • The threat of protests emerges during the sensitive period of electoral law reform ahead of the 2027 polls.

The standoff highlights a critical tension between the legislative process and public demand for unambiguous electoral safeguards.

Sources: Channels TV