A public affairs analyst has asserted that Nigeria possesses the necessary infrastructure and capacity to implement live transmission of election results, criticising legislative delays as detrimental to democratic progress.
Shehu Mahdi made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television, monitored by the Media Talk Africa, addressing the ongoing national discourse on electronic transmission of results. His comments follow the recent amendment to Section 60 of the Electoral Act by the Nigerian Senate, which permits polling unit presiding officers to electronically transmit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Results Viewing Portal, IREV.
Mahdi, a public commentator, stated that the Senate’s incremental approach is a disservice to the nation. “The Senate is toying with the future of Nigeria,” he said. “We have the resources, manpower, financial capacity, and infrastructure to facilitate the live transmission of results. Enough of the pretence and breach of the law.” He described the legislative hesitancy as “an injury to the nation, an injury to democracy, an injury to the local and image of Nigeria.”
His central argument posits that Nigeria’s technological readiness is already evident in other sectors. He pointed to the Federal Executive Council and National Assembly, which have routinely conducted official meetings via video conferencing platforms like Zoom. “A country where Zoom is a means of communication is a country that is adequately prepared for live transmission of results,” Mahdi contended. “Nigeria is fully equipped for e-transmission of election results.”
The debate over real-time result transmission has been a recurrent theme in Nigeria’s electoral reforms, often intensified by controversies surrounding delayed or disputed results from previous election cycles. Proponents argue that instantaneous, transparent result collation would significantly reduce opportunities for manipulation and enhance public trust in the electoral process. INEC has previously signalled its readiness for such a system but has cited legal and infrastructural constraints, often requiring explicit legislative backing.
The Senate’s amendment, while a step towards enabling electronic transmission, stops short of mandating it and leaves operational specifics to INEC. Mahdi’s commentary underscores a growing pressure on lawmakers to align electoral laws with contemporary technological capabilities, framing the issue as a fundamental test of Nigeria’s democratic maturity and institutional integrity.
The significance of this debate extends beyond technical logistics. It touches on core issues of electoral credibility, reducing post-election litigation, and aligning Nigeria’s voting processes with global best practices. As the country prepares for future general elections, the expectation for a more transparent and efficient results management system continues to build, challenging policymakers to move from deliberation to decisive, modern implementation.
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