Former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials are calling for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results as the National Assembly meets to harmonise the Electoral Act Amendment Bill ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mike Igini, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), warned that loopholes in manual collation have historically undermined electoral credibility and contributed to high turnover rates in both the Senate and House of Representatives. He argued that making real-time uploads mandatory would make results publicly verifiable, deter tampering, and strengthen democratic accountability.
Citing historical data, Igini noted that turnover in the Senate has ranged from 59% to 79% across recent assemblies, while the House of Representatives recorded 57% to 78% turnover—patterns he said foster “institutional amnesia” and weaken legislative oversight.
Other ex-INEC officials echoed these sentiments. Alhaji Jibrin Zarewa, former Katsina REC, pointed out that real-time transmission has been successfully tested in by-elections since 2017 and can work nationwide with proper support from service providers. Former Zamfara REC Asmau Maikudi also stressed that electronic transmission is feasible if there is commitment from stakeholders.
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However, Prof. Lai Olurode, ex-Federal Commissioner, urged a balanced approach, warning against over-reliance on technology alone. He suggested combining electronic transmission with manual backup to avoid system failures that could trigger electoral crises.
The calls come after the Senate retained electronic transmission in the bill but removed the term “real-time,” a decision that drew criticism from civil society and electoral stakeholders. Senate President Godswill Akpabio clarified that electronic transmission was not rejected, but the removal of “real-time” allows flexibility in areas with poor connectivity.
The debate highlights the tension between adopting modern electoral technology and ensuring practical, reliable processes for credible and inclusive elections in Nigeria.
