The presidency has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will make a careful decision on whether electronic transmission of election results should be fully implemented, taking into account the country’s present realities.
Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare explained that the president would be guided by national interest and practical considerations, especially infrastructure limitations, before assenting to any amendment on the matter.
The Senate recently passed an amendment to the Electoral Act approving electronic transmission of results from polling units to the portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission, with provisions allowing manual transmission where network challenges occur.
The move followed sustained pressure from civil society groups calling for mandatory real-time electronic transmission.
Speaking during a television interview, Dare described Tinubu as a committed democrat who would act responsibly, stressing that no country operates a flawless electronic system.
Opposition parties react
The Peoples Democratic Party criticised the stance, arguing that the administration appears reluctant to guarantee real-time electronic transmission.
The party said the All Progressives Congress had previously supported electronic voting before assuming power and questioned why it now appears hesitant.
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress accused the federal government of making excuses for the electoral body, suggesting that resistance to electronic transmission reflects fears about transparency and the credibility of elections.
Political analyst Jide Ojo maintained that the fate of electronic transmission should not depend solely on the president, noting that electoral laws fall under the authority of the National Assembly.
He argued that the legislative provision allowing electronic transmission as a backup remains a practical compromise.
Samson Itodo of Yiaga Africa said opposition to electronic transmission often stems from concerns about transparency, adding that both manual and electronic systems are vulnerable if not managed with integrity.
He also clarified that once the National Assembly passes an amendment, it is forwarded to the president for assent, and lawmakers retain the constitutional power to override a refusal.
Addressing infrastructure concerns, Itodo referenced findings from a joint committee of INEC and the Nigerian Communications Commission which indicated that most polling units already have some level of network coverage.
He added that electronic transmission was deployed in parts of the 2023 general elections, suggesting the current debate is more political than technical.
