Nigeria’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Supports Real-Time Election Result Transmission
Nigeria’s telecommunications network has the capability to support the real-time electronic transmission of election results, according to major telecom operators. This claim comes after a joint technical assessment conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and leading telecom companies. The assessment revealed that 93% of polling units across the country have mobile network coverage, with the remaining 7% deemed achievable through further efforts.
The telecom operators, who spoke with The PUNCH, emphasized that while the infrastructure is in place, the process remains largely paper-based. A position paper obtained by The PUNCH highlights INEC’s stance on the feasibility of electronic transmission, which it describes as both “desirable and doable.” However, the commission stressed that implementation depends on a clear legal framework.
Position Paper on Electronic Transmission
The document titled Position Paper No.1/2021 on Electronic Transmission of Election Results was signed by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate past Chairman of INEC. It outlines the commission’s belief that the technology and national infrastructure are sufficient to support electronic transmission. According to INEC, it had developed adequate structures and processes for this purpose.
In preparation for the 2019 general election, INEC established the INEC/NCC Joint Technical Committee on Electronic Transmission of Election Results. The committee, co-chaired by NCC’s Commissioner for Technical Services, Ubale Maska, and INEC National Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Mustapha Lecky, submitted its report on August 9, 2018. The report found that mobile networks adequately covered 93% of INEC polling units, with the remaining 7% requiring additional attention.
The committee assigned polling units to Airtel, Glo, 9Mobile, and MTN for result transmission and recommended secure configurations such as Access Point Name and Virtual Private Network integration to connect to INEC’s backend systems.
Despite these findings, INEC did not proceed with electronic transmission during the 2019 elections due to a lack of a clear legal mandate at the time. The commission noted that while the technical committee’s work convinced them of the feasibility of electronic transmission, the ongoing Electoral Act amendment process did not provide the unambiguous authorization required for full deployment.
Addressing Misconceptions
INEC addressed widespread misconceptions about the process, clarifying that electronic transmission of results is not the same as electronic balloting or internet voting. It emphasized that it is not contemplating internet voting and distinguished between electronic transmission and the INEC Result Viewing portal, explaining that the latter allows scanned polling unit result sheets to be uploaded for public viewing, while electronic transmission involves the electronic collation of those results.
The commission also rejected attempts to link challenges experienced with the Smart Card Reader (SCR) to its capacity to transmit results electronically. It stated that the SCR is not used for result transmission and is not permanently connected to any data network.
On network quality, INEC described as “simply incorrect” claims that 2G networks cannot transmit election data. It noted that telecom operators and the NCC were aware of 2G coverage in some areas when they concluded in 2018 that transmission was possible.
Legal Framework and Technological Readiness
INEC urged lawmakers to provide a legal framework that “enables rather than inhibits” electronic transmission and cautioned against embedding specific technologies in the law. The renewed attention on the 2021 position paper comes amid ongoing debate over the electronic transmission of results and recent amendments to the Electoral Act signed by President Bola Tinubu.
The amended law has sparked arguments among political stakeholders and civil society groups over whether real-time electronic transmission from polling units should be made mandatory. Supporters argue that it enhances transparency and reduces manipulation during collation, while critics cite logistical and security concerns.
Telecom Operators’ Perspective
The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, told The PUNCH that the network is there and that coverage maps and bandwidth data across the country make real-time transmission feasible. He added that the NCC is best positioned to advise the government based on verified coverage maps and network performance data.
Adeboya said telecom operators are not seeking special government support for the 2027 elections, noting that satellite technology can fill gaps in remote or poorly covered areas. He explained that some BVAS machines might not work using GSM SIM cards but could still transmit data via satellite interfaces.
Security and Implementation
INEC’s position paper noted that the remarks made by President Tinubu contradicted the commission’s earlier assessment. It highlighted that INEC’s systems had passed comprehensive security tests, including ethical hacking simulations, and that the commission had successfully transmitted results in real time from densely populated cities to remote areas, islands, and conflict-affected regions.
No special intervention is required, according to Adebayo, who stressed that existing infrastructure is adequate. He added that current technologies and network solutions available in Nigeria and globally make real-time transmission feasible.
Addressing concerns about network black spots and remote areas without terrestrial connectivity, Adebayo said satellite technology can fill coverage gaps. He explained that election devices such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System could be configured to work via satellite where GSM coverage is unavailable.
