The Nigeria Computer Society has strongly criticised the Senate’s decision to reject the mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results, describing it as a setback to Nigeria’s democratic integrity and digital transformation agenda.
In a position paper released on the ongoing review of the Electoral Act, the professional body warned that the retention of Section 60(5) of the Electoral Act 2022, widely viewed as permitting manual-heavy result collation, risks undermining transparency, public trust, and confidence in the electoral process.
Long-Running Electoral Debate
The debate over electronic transmission of election results is not new. For more than a decade, Nigeria has grappled with credibility challenges arising from manual result collation, delayed announcements, disputed figures, and post-election litigation.
The introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) ahead of the 2023 general elections marked a major technological shift, raising expectations that elections would become more transparent and verifiable.
However, operational inconsistencies, legal ambiguities, and selective reliance on manual processes during collation reignited public controversy.
Section 60(5) of the Electoral Act 2022, which allows results to be collated “as prescribed by the Commission,” has since become a focal point of criticism. Civil society groups, election observers, and technology professionals argue that the provision leaves room for discretionary interpretation that weakens electronic accountability.
It is against this backdrop that the Senate’s recent rejection of compulsory electronic transmission has drawn renewed concern.
NCS: Technology is Central to Democratic Credibility
Reacting to the development, NCS reaffirmed its full support for real-time electronic transmission of election results, describing it as a cornerstone of credible elections in the digital age.
According to the Society, electronic transmission aligns with global best practices, Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, and the country’s growing pool of indigenous ICT expertise.
“Technology, when properly governed, enhances transparency, reduces human interference, and strengthens public confidence in electoral outcomes,” the NCS stated.
Speaking on the matter, Prof. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, president of the Nigeria Computer Society, warned that resisting technology-driven transparency sends the wrong signal at a time when Nigeria seeks to position itself as a digital leader.
“Democracy in the digital age must be verifiable, transparent, and trusted. Digital transformation is not optional for democracy, it is essential,” Prof. Aliyu said.
“The future of credible elections in Nigeria must be secure, electronic, and real-time. Retaining provisions that weaken digital accountability represents a step backward for a nation striving for democratic and technological leadership.”
Addressing Long-Standing Concerns
NCS acknowledged concerns frequently raised against electronic transmission, particularly around connectivity, cybersecurity, and operational readiness. However, it stressed that these challenges are solvable, not prohibitive.
On connectivity gaps in rural areas, the Society proposed a hybrid transmission architecture, combining real-time transmission where networks exist with encrypted store-and-forward systems, complete with timestamps, in underserved locations.
It also highlighted the role of multiple network providers, satellite connectivity, and offline-first technologies.
On cybersecurity fears, NCS pointed to established safeguards such as end-to-end encryption, digital signatures, device authentication, immutable audit logs, and independent penetration testing. It added that public verification portals and civil society monitoring further strengthen trust.
The Society also addressed concerns around capacity, calling for early procurement, phased pilots, and nationwide training programmes anchored by NCS-certified professionals and local ICT expertise.
Risks of Maintaining the Status Quo
According to NCS, rejecting electronic transmission carries significant democratic, economic, and reputational risks.
These include increased post-election disputes, greater exposure to human error and result manipulation during physical collation, and declining public confidence in electoral outcomes.
The Society also warned that perceived electoral opacity could deter investment and weaken Nigeria’s digital economy narrative.
“Manual-heavy electoral processes amplify suspicion and litigation,” the NCS noted, adding that policy signals discouraging technology adoption could stifle local ICT innovation and capacity building.
Call for Legislative Action
NCS urged the National Assembly to revisit its position and ensure that real-time electronic transmission of election results is explicitly and compulsorily embedded in the amended Electoral Act.
The Society also offered its institutional expertise to support technical standards development, independent audits, capacity building, and continuous improvement, stressing that Nigeria already possesses the talent and technology required to conduct transparent and verifiable elections.
“Technology must not merely be deployed; it must be trusted, protected, and legally empowered,” Prof. Aliyu said.
As Nigeria prepares for future electoral cycles, the Society argued that the credibility of the country’s democracy, and its digital leadership ambitions may ultimately depend on whether electronic accountability is strengthened or sidelined.
