Former officers of the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) have urged the Nationwide Meeting to make real-time digital transmission of election outcomes obligatory, warning that something much less might weaken electoral credibility.
Their name comes as lawmakers put together to harmonise differing variations of the Electoral Act modification, with real-time add of polling-unit outcomes to the INEC Consequence Viewing Portal (IReV) rising as a key level of rivalry.
Mike Igini, former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), stated the choice would have an effect on not solely election transparency but additionally lawmakers’ political survival forward of 2027.
He argued that guide collation creates alternatives to change outcomes, usually disadvantaging candidates who lack occasion backing regardless of robust grassroots help.
“Publicly viewable outcomes function deterrence and would render such tampering manifest and actionable,” Igini stated.
He cited excessive turnover within the Nationwide Meeting as proof of weaknesses within the electoral course of. In accordance with him, solely 25 of 109 senators returned within the present Tenth Senate, representing a 77 per cent turnover fee. The Home of Representatives confirmed comparable patterns, with turnover ranging between 57 per cent and 78 per cent throughout latest assemblies.
Igini stated such instability weakens institutional continuity and drains public assets.
“This persistent instability breeds institutional amnesia and dissipates scarce public assets on perpetual induction and retraining,” he stated.
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Former commissioners say INEC already has the capability
Jibrin Zarewa, former REC in Katsina, stated INEC started testing digital transmission in by-elections way back to 2017 and has demonstrated its means to implement the system.
“Whether it is made obligatory within the regulation, INEC is able to executing it,” he stated.
Asmau Maikudi, former REC in Zamfara, described digital transmission as possible and aligned with world greatest practices, urging lawmakers to incorporate it explicitly within the amended regulation.
Igini additionally dismissed considerations about community limitations, citing surveys performed earlier than the 2023 elections displaying over 97 per cent community protection nationwide. He added that INEC had efficiently transmitted ends in quite a few off-cycle elections.
Nonetheless, not all former officers help relying solely on real-time transmission. Lai Olurode, former INEC federal commissioner, warned that full dependence on know-how might create issues if programs fail.
He really useful combining digital and guide collation strategies to scale back dangers.
“Don’t utterly take away the ingredient of human company. You can’t be too certain of machines both,” he stated.
