INEC Cannot Guarantee Real-Time Election Result Transmission – Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan Explains
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has stated that the commission cannot guarantee real-time electronic transmission of election results due to its lack of control over Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Speaking on the challenges surrounding digital result uploads during elections, the INEC Chairman explained that the commission does not operate its own independent communications network and instead depends on existing telecom providers across the country.
“We do not even have a network of our own,” Amupitan said. “Assuming we control the network system and are not dictated to by primary and secondary providers, then INEC should be held 100 percent responsible for whatever happens.”
His remarks come amid renewed public debate over the reliability of electronic transmission of results and calls for flawless real-time uploads ahead of future general elections.
Why INEC Cannot Guarantee Real-Time Result Transmission
At the heart of the issue is infrastructure control.
INEC relies heavily on Nigeria’s telecommunications networks to transmit polling unit results electronically to its central database. These networks are owned and managed by private telecom operators, not the electoral commission.
According to Prof. Amupitan, this dependency means INEC cannot fully control network stability, bandwidth availability, or service disruptions — especially in rural or remote communities where broadband penetration remains weak.
Electronic transmission requires:
* Stable internet connectivity
* Reliable mobile broadband coverage
* Redundant backup systems
* Secure digital servers
* Real-time data synchronization
Without direct ownership or control of these systems, INEC says guaranteeing seamless uploads nationwide would be unrealistic.
The Cost of Building an Independent Electoral Network
The INEC Chairman further revealed that establishing an independent, nationwide communications infrastructure would require massive funding beyond the commission’s current budgetary allocation.
INEC operates with an annual budget of approximately ₦305 billion. However, according to the commission, deploying a robust and dedicated transmission system across Nigeria’s over 176,000 polling units would demand significantly more resources.
Such infrastructure would include:
* Fiber optic expansion nationwide
* Satellite communication terminals in hard-to-reach areas
* Dedicated data centers
* Cybersecurity reinforcement systems
* Redundant power supply solutions
* Specialized technical personnel
Experts estimate that building a sovereign, election-dedicated network could cost hundreds of billions of naira in additional investment.
Prof. Amupitan noted that until such resources are made available, expectations of flawless real-time electronic transmission may not align with operational realities.
What Is Electronic Transmission of Election Results?
Electronic transmission refers to the process of uploading polling unit results directly to INEC’s central server using digital devices deployed at voting locations.
In recent elections, INEC introduced the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to:
* Verify voters biometrically
* Capture polling unit results
* Upload results electronically
The system was designed to improve transparency, reduce manipulation, and enhance credibility in Nigeria’s electoral process.
However, network failures in certain locations during past elections led to delayed uploads and public skepticism.
INEC maintains that while electronic transmission enhances transparency, it remains dependent on network availability.
Nigeria’s Broadband Coverage Challenge
One of the key structural obstacles remains Nigeria’s uneven broadband penetration.
While major cities enjoy relatively stable 4G and emerging 5G coverage, many rural communities experience:
* Weak signal strength
* Intermittent data service
* Power supply instability
* Limited telecom infrastructure
Given Nigeria’s vast geographical spread and difficult terrain in some regions, maintaining uninterrupted connectivity at every polling unit presents a logistical challenge.
The INEC Chairman emphasized that without improved national broadband infrastructure, the commission’s capacity to promise seamless real-time uploads remains constrained.
Accountability and Responsibility
Prof. Amupitan’s comments also touch on the broader issue of accountability.
He stated that INEC should only be fully held responsible for transmission failures if it operates and controls the entire communications infrastructure independently.
Currently, service disruptions from telecom providers, power outages, or bandwidth congestion are beyond the commission’s direct control.
This distinction is important as public discourse often assumes that technological glitches automatically indicate institutional failure.
Political and Public Reactions
Electronic transmission has become a politically sensitive issue in Nigeria’s electoral discourse.
Civil society groups and political stakeholders have consistently advocated for:
(A) Mandatory real-time uploads
(B) Transparent digital collation
(C) Public result viewing portals
(D) Legal safeguards for electronic evidence
The debate intensified following the 2023 general elections, where delays in uploads triggered legal challenges and public criticism.
INEC insists that while the BVAS system functioned for voter accreditation, network constraints affected simultaneous uploads in some areas.
The commission maintains that result sheets were eventually uploaded and that physical copies remain the legally recognized primary record.
What This Means for Future Elections
Looking ahead to upcoming electoral cycles, the INEC Chairman’s statement signals the need for broader collaboration between:
* The Federal Government
* Telecommunications companies
* Technology partners
* Legislative authorities
Strengthening electoral technology may require:
* Dedicated election connectivity frameworks
* Legislative reforms supporting digital infrastructure
* Budget expansion
* Public-private partnerships
Without structural improvements in telecom coverage and funding allocation, guaranteeing instantaneous nationwide transmission may remain aspirational.
The Bigger Picture: Digital Elections in Developing Democracies
Nigeria is not alone in facing challenges related to digital election infrastructure.
Many developing democracies struggle with:
1. Infrastructure deficits
2. Cybersecurity concerns
3. Budget constraints
4.Technical training gaps
While technology improves transparency, its effectiveness depends heavily on the strength of underlying systems.
INEC’s position underscores a fundamental principle: digital transformation must be supported by infrastructure investment.
Can INEC Eventually Guarantee Real-Time Transmission?
According to the Chairman, the answer depends on three key conditions:
1. Improved national broadband penetration
2. Expanded funding for independent infrastructure
3. Strengthened partnerships with telecom providers
Until these conditions are met, promises of flawless, real-time electronic uploads across all polling units may be difficult to guarantee.
Here is some Frequently Asked Questions
Can INEC transmit election results in real time?
INEC can upload results electronically but says it cannot guarantee seamless real-time transmission nationwide due to network dependency.
Why doesn’t INEC have its own communication network?
Building an independent nationwide communications system would require funding beyond its current ₦305 billion annual budget.
What is electronic transmission of results?
It is the process of digitally uploading polling unit results to INEC’s central server using devices such as BVAS.
How many polling units are in Nigeria?
Nigeria has over 176,000 polling units spread across urban and rural areas.
Will future elections have better digital transmission?
Improvement depends on expanded broadband coverage, funding, and infrastructure development.
The statement by the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, highlights a critical intersection between electoral reform and infrastructure development.
While electronic transmission represents a major step toward transparency, guaranteeing flawless real-time uploads across a country as vast and diverse as Nigeria requires far more than digital devices alone.
It demands broadband expansion, independent communication systems, increased funding, and strategic partnerships.
Until those structural issues are resolved, INEC maintains that expectations must align with operational realities.