Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) has strongly advocated for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results, insisting that technological and financial barriers should no longer be used as excuses to delay full implementation.
In a post on her Facebook page on Tuesday, the senator argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sufficient resources—backed by its proposed ₦1.01 trillion budget for 2026—to deploy the necessary infrastructure for seamless, live transmission from all polling units.
She specifically suggested partnering with satellite internet providers like Starlink to overcome connectivity challenges in remote and underserved areas.
“Absolute real-time transmission of election results is achievable in Nigeria. INEC’s N1.01trn budget should not be a constraint. Let’s explore Starlink and other solutions to bridge gaps in hard-to-reach polling units. No more excuses—technology must serve transparency,” she wrote.
Her intervention comes amid heated debate in the National Assembly over proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly Clause 60(3), which governs electronic transmission of results to INEC’s IReV portal.
While the Senate recently approved a version allowing electronic transmission where feasible—but permitting manual (Form EC8A) backups in cases of network failure, grid collapse, or insecurity—critics argue the change weakens safeguards against result manipulation.
Proponents of mandatory real-time transmission, including civil society groups and election observers, maintain it is essential to enhance credibility and prevent disputes ahead of future elections.
The Senate has constituted a 12-member conference committee to harmonise its position with the House of Representatives, which retained stronger language on real-time uploads.
