The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday insisted that it has the capacity to transmit election results electronically in 2023.
Also, the commission added that it is able to transmit results electronically in remote areas.
“We have uploaded results from very remote areas, even from areas where you have to use human carriers to access,” INEC’s National Chairman and Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye, said on Channels television.
“So, we have made our own position very clear, that we have the capacity and we have the will to deepen the use of technology in the electoral process.”
But Okoye said INEC would be guided by the power granted it by the constitution and the law.
“Our powers are given by the constitution and the law, and we will continue to remain within the ambit and confines of the power granted to the commission by the constitution and the law,” he stressed.
The issue of electronic transmission of results had caused sharp divisions in both chambers of the National Assembly with members voting mainly along party lines.
On Thursday, the majority of Senators voted for an amendment o Section 52 proposed by the Deputy Whip, Sabi Abdullahi, that: “The commission may consider electronic transmission provided the national network coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the Nigerian Communications Commission and approved by the National Assembly.”
A total of 52 senators voted in favour while 28 voted against. A total of 28 senators were absent during the voting process.
The House of Representatives followed on Friday by also ceding the prerogative to decide the mode of transmitting election result to INEC.
The House upheld the controversial Clause 52(2) which allows INEC to determine when, where and how voting and transmission of results will be done.
It stipulates thus: “Voting at an election and transmission of result under this bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the commission.”
