I was recently featured in Leadership Newspapers on the ongoing debate surrounding the electronic transmission of election results in Nigeria. The core question is straightforward: Does Nigeria have the technical capacity to transmit election results electronically in real time? My position is clear. Electronic transmission of election results in Nigeria is entirely feasible with existing infrastructure. However, success does not depend solely on technology availability. Proper system engineering, disciplined project management, and strong governance must all be in the mix.
Electronic Transmission of Election Results in Nigeria: Technology Is Not the Barrier
Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure today is significantly more advanced than it was a decade ago. Major telecom operators provide widespread network coverage across the country. Election result data packets are small and do not require broadband-level capacity to transmit securely. What is required is not reliance on ordinary smartphones or a single mobile network. What is required is the design of a properly engineered, purpose-built system. Accordingly, a credible e-transmission framework should include:
- Multi-network connectivity, enabling devices to connect to multiple telecom operators simultaneously.
- Automatic network switching, ensuring that weak or unavailable service from one operator does not disrupt transmission.
- Secure offline capture, allowing results to be stored safely where connectivity is temporarily unavailable.
- Automatic synchronization, transmitting results immediately once a signal becomes available.
- Satellite support for extremely remote areas where terrestrial networks are insufficient.
With such architecture, network limitations would certainly no longer be a decisive obstacle.
Inclusion Requires Coverage Improvement for Electronic Transmission of Election Results in Nigeria
To ensure full electoral inclusion, network coverage gaps must be addressed. While most polling units fall within GSM coverage areas, certain remote locations may require targeted satellite backup or additional infrastructure support. Electronic transmission must also not exclude any voter or polling unit. Therefore, coverage enhancement should be treated as part of electoral system design, not as an afterthought.
Power, Security, and System Capacity Are Critical
A credible system must go beyond connectivity. It must emphatically include:
- Reliable power supply arrangements
- Strong cybersecurity safeguards
- Data authenticity verification mechanisms
- End-to-end encryption
- Backup and disaster recovery frameworks
- Full auditability and traceability
- Additionally, the system must be capable of handling the high-volume traffic associated with nationwide real-time uploads and public result publication.
Election day certainly creates a surge scenario: thousands of polling units transmitting data within tight timelines. Infrastructure capacity planning must therefore anticipate and withstand this load without system crashes or delays. The technology exists. What determines success is rigorous system integration, extensive testing, and reliable deployment under real-world conditions. Basically, the challenge therefore isn’t just technology.
This Is a National-Scale Systems Engineering Project
Electronic transmission of election results is not a simple technology deployment. It is a nationwide, high-stakes, multi-stakeholder digital transformation initiative involving:
- Thousands of polling units
- Multiple telecom networks
- Strict constitutional timelines
- Very low tolerance for error
- Without disciplined project planning, logistics coordination, and thorough field testing, even good technology can fail in practice.
Strong project management is therefore not optional. It is undeniably foundational.
Governance and Independent Oversight Are Essential for Electronic Transmission of Election Results in Nigeria
Delivering a reliable e-transmission system requires more than partnering with telecom providers and deploying devices. It undoubtedly demands:
- Independent ICT and digital transformation expertise
- Engagement with professional and advocacy bodies
- Structured security audits
- Transparent testing processes
- Public/Voter enlightenment/engagement/education
- Oversight and other creative mechanisms that build public trust
Independent experts should be involved at key stages from design, security architecture, audit, testing, to system validation. It’s all about ensuring the solution meets electoral integrity standards. Trust in election outcomes is not built solely on infrastructure. Indeed, it is built on transparent governance, accountability, and credible oversight.
The Real Question
The debate should no longer center on whether electronic transmission is technologically possible. It is. The real questions are:
- Can we engineer it properly?
- Can we manage it professionally, securely and ethically?
- Can we coordinate stakeholders effectively?
- Can we govern it transparently?
Electronic transmission of election results in Nigeria is feasible. But real election conditions also demand far more than good networks and devices.
They significantly demand disciplined project management, technical depth, system integration expertise, and strong governance. Technology enables credibility. Execution secures it.
Author: Jide Awe
Science, Technology and Innovation policy advisor.
Nigeria’s Inaugural Tech Mentor of the Year
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e-government for Good Governance in Nigeria
Originally featured in Leadership Newspapers >>>Nigeria Has Capacity For Real-time Transmission Of Election Result