Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mike Igini, has expressed deep disappointment following the Senate’s rejection of a proposal to make real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory in Nigeria’s amended electoral framework.
Igini, who served for a decade within Nigeria’s electoral management system, described the development as personally disheartening, stating that he regretted what he termed years of effort invested in strengthening electoral transparency. His remarks come amid heightened public debate over the future of technological integration in Nigeria’s voting and result collation processes.
The controversy centres on deliberations in the Senate over amendments to the Electoral Act. Lawmakers declined to adopt provisions that would explicitly mandate real-time electronic transmission of results directly from polling units, instead retaining language that critics argue leaves operational discretion to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Speaking in reaction to the decision, Igini said the rejection undermines years of institutional reform aimed at enhancing credibility and public confidence in elections. He maintained that compulsory electronic transmission from polling units would reduce opportunities for manipulation during collation and minimise disputes arising from manual result handling.
The issue of electronic transmission gained prominence during the 2023 general elections, when INEC deployed technological tools including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System. While accreditation technology was widely acknowledged as a significant advancement, controversy emerged regarding the uploading and transmission of results, prompting legal challenges and political disputes.
Proponents of mandatory real-time transmission argue that technology offers a verifiable audit trail, enhances transparency and aligns Nigeria with evolving global electoral standards. They contend that ambiguity in statutory language leaves room for inconsistent implementation, potentially eroding trust in close contests.
Opponents within the legislature have raised concerns about infrastructure reliability, cybersecurity risks and uneven network coverage across rural communities. Some lawmakers argue that rigid statutory mandates may create operational vulnerabilities in areas where digital connectivity remains unstable.
Electoral governance experts observe that technological reform alone cannot eliminate systemic weaknesses. They emphasise that successful electronic transmission depends on reliable telecommunications infrastructure, adequate funding, trained personnel and transparent oversight mechanisms. Without these components, statutory mandates may face practical challenges.
Igini’s comments reflect broader frustration among some reform advocates who believe incremental progress risks stagnation if legislative backing is not unequivocal. During his tenure, he was often vocal about strengthening internal processes and improving public accountability within the electoral system.
Civil society organisations have responded with mixed reactions. Some advocacy groups described the Senate’s decision as a missed opportunity to codify technological safeguards, while others urged caution against assuming that legal mandates alone guarantee credibility. Analysts note that electoral integrity encompasses multiple dimensions, including voter education, party compliance, judicial independence and enforcement of sanctions.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has not publicly commented on the Senate’s latest decision. However, officials have previously maintained that technological deployment must balance legal authority with operational feasibility.
Nigeria’s electoral reform trajectory has been iterative since the return to democratic governance in 1999. Amendments to the Electoral Act have often followed contentious elections, reflecting attempts to address observed shortcomings. The debate over electronic transmission represents the latest phase in a longer institutional evolution.
Political analysts suggest that the sensitivity of the issue stems from persistent public distrust surrounding result collation and announcement procedures. Close electoral contests frequently intensify scrutiny of administrative processes, placing heightened expectations on technological solutions.
Igini’s statement has resonated on social media platforms, where citizens continue to debate the role of digital systems in strengthening democratic outcomes. Some commentators view his remarks as an expression of institutional fatigue among reform advocates, while others interpret them as a warning about the consequences of stalled legislative reform.
Ultimately, the Senate’s decision does not prohibit electronic transmission but stops short of making it compulsory under all circumstances. The practical implications will depend on how INEC structures its operational guidelines within the boundaries of existing law.
As Nigeria prepares for future electoral cycles, the debate over transparency mechanisms is likely to persist. The intersection of technology, legislation and public trust remains central to the credibility of democratic governance.
For Igini, the moment represents a personal reckoning after years within the electoral system. For Nigeria’s broader democratic landscape, it underscores the continuing challenge of aligning legal reform with public expectations and institutional capacity.
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