Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the February 21 Federal Capital Territory area council election exposed the practical limits of relying on real-time electronic result transmission in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 2026 Electoral Act Townhall in Abuja on Sunday, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan explained that the challenges were not primarily technological.
“From my little experience over four months now in INEC, the problem is not even network. The problem I have seen is the adequacy of the network we have. For instance, you expect that in a place like FCT, you should be able to transmit your results without any encumbrance.
“Now, there are six area councils in FCT. The results came out on time in five area councils. The result in one ward, Kabi ward, did not come until the following day, Sunday.
“I was worried. When we sent our poll officials and security agencies to that ward, the moment they entered that place, we could not reach them.
“They were not accessible on phone, and nobody could speak to them until we had to send somebody on Saturday morning just to be sure that they were safe.
“Before we now brought the results, they brought results to Kuje town, and then it was collated along the remaining nine wards before the result could be declared.
“Talking about logistics, your election can be as good as your logistics. Where there is logistic failure, you know that you are beginning to fail.”
Amupitan’s remarks come amid ongoing debates in Nigeria about the feasibility of mandating real-time electronic transmission of results in all elections.
While the technology exists and worked in several wards during the FCT polls, he noted that remote locations, rough terrain, and limited network coverage could hinder its full implementation.
The townhall featured guests including Oby Ezekwesili, Sen. Ireti Kingibe, APC chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, and LP’s Nenadi Usman, focusing on the recent Electoral Act amendments and how to improve the credibility and transparency of future elections.