CSO Warns Against New Election Technology
In Abuja last week, Nigeria Integrity Watch cautioned that forcing real-time electronic transmission of election results could shut out millions of voters, especially in rural areas.
The warning followed the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act 2022 Amendment Bill 2026 after lawmakers rejected a proposal to make instant digital uploads compulsory.
During deliberations, senators declined to alter Clause 60(3) to compel presiding officers to upload polling unit results immediately to the INEC Result Viewing Portal.
Instead, they kept the existing wording, which states that “the presiding officer shall transfer the results, including the total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot, in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.”
Explaining the move, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said lawmakers only removed the timing requirement.
Reacting on Sunday, the group described the push for mandatory instant transmission as risky, pointing to weak networks, poor power supply and insecurity in many areas.
“Even making ordinary phone calls has become difficult due to frequent network failures.
The feasibility of transmitting sensitive election data seamlessly in real time under current conditions is in doubt,” the statement read in part, urging a focus on fixing infrastructure before tightening election rules.
