Nigeria’s leading telecommunications operators have rejected assertions by some members of the National Assembly that the country lacks the infrastructure for real-time electronic transmission of election results, insisting that national network coverage is sufficient to support the process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development followed President Bola Tinubu’s signing of the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law, despite lingering controversy over provisions relating to electronic transmission of results.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu maintained that the credibility of elections depends more on effective management and human oversight than on technology alone.
He stressed that while technology can support the process, final outcomes are determined by designated electoral officials, not computers.
He also questioned the country’s broadband capacity and long-term technical readiness for real-time transmission.
In response, operators including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and Globacom, under the umbrella of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), dismissed concerns about inadequate coverage as outdated and inaccurate.
ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, said over 70 per cent of the country is currently covered by 3G and 4G networks, with 5G coverage reaching about 11 per cent, while other areas operate on 2G, which he argued is still capable of transmitting results electronically.
He urged lawmakers to rely on verified data from the Nigerian Communications Commission rather than broad claims about infrastructural gaps.
Although acknowledging security challenges in parts of the country affected by insurgency, the operators maintained that such issues should not justify a nationwide rejection of electronic transmission.
They argued that collaboration among stakeholders would better address isolated network constraints.
The position aligns with that of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has previously stated that results uploaded to its Result Viewing Portal would transmit automatically once devices enter areas with network coverage.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives defended its decision to retain manual transmission as a fallback option in certain circumstances.
Deputy House Spokesperson Philip Agbese said while electronic transmission to the INEC Result Viewing Portal remains mandatory, the manual clause was preserved to prevent disenfranchisement in the event of technical failures.
Similarly, lawmaker Gboyega Nasir Isiaka said concerns over weak digital infrastructure and security vulnerabilities informed the National Assembly’s decision to soften the clause mandating real-time transmission.
According to him, the compromise followed extensive negotiations during the harmonisation process between both chambers.
However, former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Mike Igini warned that allowing discretionary manual transmission could endanger presiding officers at polling units.
He argued that disputes over network availability could expose officials, particularly youth corps members, to threats where voters perceive that network signals are present.
Also weighing in, former Education Minister Obiageli Ezekwesili expressed strong support for electronic transmission, describing it as a critical safeguard against result manipulation.
She said embedding e-transmission firmly in law would enhance transparency and restore public trust in the electoral process.
On his part, former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani cautioned that electronic transmission alone cannot guarantee credible elections.
While supporting the innovation, he emphasised that deeper structural and ethical reforms are required to address persistent malpractice, including voter inducement.
As debates intensify, the issue of electronic transmission remains central to Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 polls, with stakeholders sharply divided over the balance between technology, security and electoral integrity.
