APGA National Chairman Speaks On Electoral Act And The Future Of Electronic Transmission Of Election Results In Nigeria

Written By Nduka Anyanwu 

As Nigeria’s electoral process continues to evolve, the debate over the electronic transmission of election results remains a critical issue. 

The recent issues of e-transmission by the Senate has drawn strong reactions from civil society organizations and political stakeholders alike. 

Among those voicing concern is the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, who underscores the importance of embracing technological reforms to strengthen electoral integrity.

In his view, Ezeokenwa emphasized that the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy hinges on transparent, trustworthy, and efficient electoral processes. “The issues of electronic transmission of results by the Senate is deeply disappointing and undermines the very foundation of electoral transparency,” he said. “For too long, Nigeria has grappled with electoral malpractices and logistical challenges. Embracing e-transmission is not just a technological upgrade; it is a necessary step toward restoring public confidence in our electoral system.” Ezeokenwa pointed out that the push for electronic results collation is rooted in the desire for a more credible and transparent electoral process. “INEC’s advocacy for e-transmission was grounded in the court’s recognition that manual collation was vulnerable to manipulation. 

This technology offers a more secure, verifiable, and efficient method of collating results,” he explained. “The recent rejection by the Senate contradicts the position of the House of Representatives, which approved electronic transmission, and it risks creating confusion and distrust among Nigerians.”

He further highlighted that the move by the Senate to block the download of electronic voter cards from INEC’s website, reduce the notice of elections from 360 to 180 days, and cut down the timeline for publishing candidate lists from 150 to 60 days, could exacerbate logistical problems during elections. “Such measures threaten to weaken the safeguards that ensure free, fair, and transparent elections,” Ezeokenwa asserted. “They reflect a step backward in our electoral reform journey and could jeopardize Nigeria’s democratic gains.”

While acknowledging the concerns raised by some civil society groups about the perception of trust, Ezeokenwa stressed that technological reforms should be embraced rather than resisted. “Building trust in our electoral system requires commitment to innovation and transparency,” he said. “Cutting corners or delaying critical reforms only deepen skepticism and undermine public confidence.” 

He called on the National Assembly to prioritize the nation’s democratic future by reconciling their differences on the Electoral Act amendments and adopting provisions that promote electronic transmission of results. “Nigeria’s democracy deserves progress, and it’s imperative that all stakeholders work together to ensure electoral reforms are implemented effectively,” Ezeokenwa concluded.

As the nation watches the ongoing legislative debates, the message from APGA’s leader is clear: embracing technological advancements like e-transmission is vital in safeguarding Nigeria’s electoral integrity and fostering trust among its citizens. Only through genuine reform and commitment to transparency can Nigeria truly realize the ideals of democracy it aspires to uphold.