By Paul Joseph
Nigeria’s telecommunications operators have dismissed assertions from some lawmakers that the country lacks the necessary infrastructure for real-time electronic transmission of election results.
Opposition members in the National Assembly, along with many Nigerians, had pushed for mandatory live electronic transmission of election results in the new Electoral Act 2026, but the National Assembly passed the law without including this provision.
President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Bill 2026 into law on Wednesday. During the signing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the president emphasized that the integrity of elections relies more on management and human oversight than on real-time electronic transmission.
He stated, “What matters is how well the process is managed to prevent confusion and disenfranchisement of Nigerians, allowing democracy to thrive.” Tinubu pointed out that regardless of the technology used, elections are ultimately conducted by people.
He also suggested that Nigerians should consider the country’s broadband capabilities, questioning the current and future technical readiness for real-time transmission.
Leading telecom operators—MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and T2 Mobile—argued that the objections were based on outdated or incomplete information.
Speaking on behalf of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), they urged the National Assembly to rely on verified data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
ALTON chairman Gbenga Adebayo stated that the country’s network coverage is adequate to support the electronic transmission of polling-unit results to the electoral commission’s portal and collation centers ahead of the 2027 general election.
He noted that over 70% of Nigeria is covered by 3G and 4G networks, with 5G reaching about 11% coverage, while the remaining areas are on 2G, which is still capable of transmitting results electronically.
Adebayo rejected the idea of a blanket ban on electronic transmission based on misleading claims about infrastructure and investments.
He acknowledged that security issues in certain regions, particularly in two states affected by insurgency, have hindered operators’ ability to maintain facilities.
However, he argued that these challenges should be addressed through collaboration rather than used to justify a nationwide rejection of electronic transmission.
This stance is consistent with that of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which had previously dismissed similar concerns before the 2023 elections, asserting that results would be automatically transmitted once devices entered areas with network coverage.
The debate over real-time transmission has intensified as Nigeria prepares for 2027 decides.
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