Telcos Insist Nigeria Ready For E-Transmission As Tinubu Defends Electoral Act Amendment
Tinubu Signs Amendment, Questions Tech Capacity
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law, maintaining that credible elections depend more on effective management than on real-time electronic transmission of results.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu said elections are ultimately determined by designated electoral officials, not computers. While acknowledging debates around electronic transmission, he urged Nigerians to reflect on the country’s broadband capacity and technical readiness.
The President argued that proper oversight, clarity and avoidance of voter disenfranchisement are more critical to democratic growth than reliance on technology alone.
Telcos Reject Infrastructure Claims
In sharp contrast, telecommunications operators dismissed claims by some National Assembly members that Nigeria lacks the infrastructure to support real-time result transmission.
Under the umbrella of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), operators including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, and Globacom insisted that current network coverage is sufficient for electronic uploads to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (iREV).
ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, said over 70 per cent of Nigeria is covered by 3G and 4G networks, with 5G reaching about 11 per cent, while remaining areas are served by 2G — which he noted is capable of transmitting election results.
He urged lawmakers to rely on verified data from the Nigerian Communications Commission rather than broad assumptions about weak infrastructure.
Lawmakers Defend Manual Safeguard
The House of Representatives defended its decision to retain manual transmission as a fallback option. Deputy Spokesperson Philip Agbese said while electronic transmission of Form EC8A to iREV remains mandatory, manual collation is necessary where technical failures occur.
Another lawmaker, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, said concerns about network instability and security vulnerabilities informed the National Assembly’s decision to soften the real-time transmission clause during harmonisation.
According to him, relying solely on technology could risk disenfranchising voters in areas with poor connectivity.
Igini Warns of Security Risks
Former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, cautioned that reintroducing discretion through manual transmission could endanger presiding officers.
He warned that disputes over network availability at polling units could expose electoral officials, particularly youth corps members, to threats from aggrieved voters.
Igini likened the provision to the controversial “Incident Form” era, which he said was previously abused.
Diverging Views from Civil Leaders
Former Education Minister Obiageli Ezekwesili strongly backed electronic transmission, describing it as a vital tool for curbing manipulation and rebuilding public trust. She argued that uploading results to iREV enhances transparency and limits discretionary abuse.
However, former Senator Shehu Sani said electronic transmission alone cannot guarantee credible elections. While supporting the system, he stressed that human conduct and ethical reforms remain central to electoral integrity.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the debate underscores broader concerns about balancing technology, infrastructure and accountability in safeguarding democracy.
