NLC threatens protests over Electoral Act amendment
The Nigeria Labour Congress warns of nationwide protests over confusion concerning amendments to the Electoral Act, especially regarding the electronic transmission of election results.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a warning about potential nationwide protests and election boycotts, fueled by what they term confusing and contradictory positions from the Senate regarding amendments to the Electoral Act. The NLC has particularly criticized the lack of clarity on whether electronic transmission of election results will be made mandatory, emphasizing that this ambiguity undermines public confidence in Nigeria's electoral process. The union believes that the current situation creates uncertainty and challenges the integrity of the elections.
NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed concern over the Senate's failure to definitively address the issue of electronic transmission of results, stating that this lack of transparency could erode public trust in the electoral system. The NLC asserts that clarity is essential in electoral processes to ensure that Nigerians can have faith in the democratic system, saying that the society deserves a transparent framework where votes are accurately counted and visible to the public.
The warning from the NLC comes at a critical time, with the upcoming elections in Nigeria drawing closer. The organization underscores the importance of clear legislation on electronic transmission among other electoral reforms to prevent further erosion of trust among the electorate. If the Senate continues on its ambiguous path, the NLC threatens to mobilize citizens across the nation to take to the streets, which could lead to significant social unrest during an already tense electoral cycle.