A report by The Punch on Monday, March 2, 2026, quoted the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, as affirming that the commission has the technical capacity to transmit election results electronically. He clarified that the major hurdles are related to infrastructure and logistics, not the technology itself.
Amupitan made this known while speaking at a Citizens’ Town Hall discussion focused on the Electoral Act 2026 and preparations for the 2027 general elections. He advised Nigerians not to expect a completely seamless process, while reassuring them that INEC is committed to delivering what he described as its most credible election so far.
He downplayed fears surrounding electronic transmission of results, noting that his experience since taking office suggested it was not the real issue. According to him, network availability is often not the main challenge, as operational realities play a bigger role.
The live town hall programme was hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, alongside Yiaga Africa’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo. It drew several notable political figures, including the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda; the interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, Nenadi Usman; former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili; and Senator Ireti Kingibe.
Using a recent area council election in the Federal Capital Territory as an example, the INEC chairman explained that difficult terrain and limited access delayed officials and the movement of results from a ward in Kuje, preventing real-time transmission. He emphasized that such setbacks were due to logistical and connectivity challenges rather than faults in the transmission system.
Amupitan further disclosed that INEC was actively involved in the drafting of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly by pushing for the inclusion of compulsory electronic transmission of election results during legislative discussions.See_More…