The February 21 area council election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) highlighted the practical challenges of relying on real-time electronic result transmission in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said.
At the 2026 Electoral Act Townhall in Abuja on Sunday, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan explained that the difficulties were not primarily technological, but logistical. He cited Kabi ward in Kuje Area Council, where results could not be transmitted until the following day due to rough terrain and limited network coverage.
“Election officials sent to that ward were unreachable by phone, prompting INEC to dispatch personnel physically to ensure their safety,” Amupitan said. Results from Kabi were later brought to Kuje town and collated with the remaining nine wards before official declaration.
Amupitan stressed that elections are only as effective as the logistics supporting them. “Where there is logistic failure, you know that you are beginning to fail,” he added.
The FCT experience has fueled ongoing debates on the feasibility of mandating real-time electronic transmission of results across all elections in Nigeria. While the technology functioned smoothly in most wards, remote locations and network limitations remain significant hurdles.
The townhall also featured discussions on the recent Electoral Act amendments and ways to enhance the credibility and transparency of future elections, with participants including Oby Ezekwesili, Sen. Ireti Kingibe, APC chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, and LP’s Nenadi Usman.
