A former ICT Director at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chidi Nwafor, has said that the recent changes to Nigeria’s electoral laws have boosted confidence in the country’s ability to conduct more transparent elections.
Speaking at the Citizens’ Townhall on the Electoral Act 2026 in Abuja on Sunday, Nwafor highlighted the readiness of institutions ahead of the 2027 elections.
“From a technological standpoint, the new Electoral Act gives us hope. It now includes IReV, which is crucial, especially given that we don’t yet have complete network coverage,” he said.
He noted that while 2G coverage was about 93–94% during the original design, current 3G coverage stands around 86–89%, meaning data can still be compressed and transmitted effectively even in areas with weaker signals.
Real-time Result Reporting
Nwafor emphasized that the reforms aim to enable real-time transmission of results directly from polling units. “The goal is to send both the accredited voters and election results immediately after counting,” he said.
While network challenges may delay transmissions in some remote locations, the data can still be sent once connectivity improves, he added. “Moving from the polling unit to the ward often provides better network, and results have a built-in transfer system,” he explained.
Digital Systems and Security
He also highlighted that the law provides legal backing for electronic records, allowing officials to maintain digital results in a central database. Nwafor stressed that INEC retains the power to refine operational procedures and improve the system further.
In addition to technology, he called for a review of security arrangements supporting elections to ensure they complement the new digital framework rather than hinder result management.
The Electoral Act 2026, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on February 18, 2026, replaces the 2022 version and mandates electronic result transmission, formal recognition of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, adjusted timelines for party primaries, and earlier release of election funds.
While the reforms are seen as a step toward greater transparency, some opposition parties and civil society groups have expressed concerns that discretionary powers during technical failures could impact accountability.
