Telecoms Confirm Real-Time Election Result Transmission Feasibility

Major telecommunications operators in Nigeria have confirmed that the country's telecom network is capable of supporting real-time electronic transmission of election results, with a coverage of 93% of polling units. This assessment was part of a joint technical evaluation by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Despite this capability, INEC has maintained that electronic transmission of election results is feasible only with a clear legal framework, as outlined in a position paper titled "Position Paper No. 1 2021" signed on September 9, 2021, by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate past chairman of INEC. The commission's technical committee found that while the mobile network can cover 93% of polling units, there remains a 7% gap.

INEC has faced challenges in implementing electronic transmission due to a lack of clear legal mandates during the 2019 general elections. The commission has emphasized that electronic transmission does not equate to internet voting and has sought to clarify misconceptions surrounding the process.