2027: Why we can’t achieve 100% real-time transmission of results — INEC Chairman

…promises to conduct best election ever in Nigeria

…To conduct mock presidential election

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash  Amupitan, has explained why Nigeria may not attain 100 per cent real-time electronic transmission of election results ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing logistical and network limitations across parts of the country.

Amupitan spoke on Sunday in Abuja during a Citizens’ Townhall Meeting on the Electoral Act 2026 organised by the Civil Society Network on Electoral Integrity.

He, however, assured Nigerians that the Commission remains committed to delivering the most credible election in the nation’s history and announced plans to conduct a mock presidential election to test its technological systems before 2027.

According to the INEC chairman, while electronic transmission of results is achievable, guaranteeing instantaneous or real-time transmission nationwide remains difficult due to infrastructure challenges, especially in remote areas.

He explained that recent experiences during the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections revealed practical challenges affecting seamless connectivity.

“In some locations, electoral officials deployed to polling units could not be reached for hours because of poor telecommunications access. Movement to certain wards took several hours due to difficult terrain, making real-time transmission impossible,” he said.

ALSO READ: US-Israel strike: Our internal security under control, Police assure Nigerians

Amupitan noted that the challenge was not necessarily network failure but the adequacy and reliability of available communication infrastructure.

Drawing an analogy with electronic banking transactions, he said that even in major cities, transfers sometimes reflect after delays despite being successfully processed, stressing that similar technological realities affect election result transmission.

He maintained that the Electoral Act 2026 provides safeguards to ensure results are eventually transmitted even where real-time upload fails.

“The issue is not whether results will be transmitted. The law provides alternatives. Even if real-time transmission encounters delays, results must still be uploaded and collated,” he stated.

The INEC chairman identified logistics as the most critical determinant of election success, noting that the timely deployment of personnel and materials, the peaceful conduct of voting, proper result management and transparent declaration remain key performance indicators.

He admitted that some logistical shortcomings witnessed in previous elections were human-related but assured Nigerians that corrective measures were already underway.

Amupitan further disclosed that INEC would organise a nationwide mock presidential election prior to the 2027 polls to rigorously test result transmission technology across states.

“Before deploying any technology, it must be properly tested. We are going to conduct a mock presidential election to ensure interstate transmission works effectively and does not fail,” he said.

He pledged that under his leadership, the Commission would strive to conduct the best election Nigeria has ever witnessed.

“By the grace of God, the 2027 election will be the best Nigerians will experience. Citizens are now more politically aware, and credible elections are essential for national development and public trust,” he added.

In his opening remarks, Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, said the Electoral Act 2026 would play a decisive role in determining the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

Itodo called on the National Assembly to begin the process of amendment to some of the provisions of the Electoral Act, noting particularly that the provision for release of election funds to INEC six months before the election was a deviation from 2022 Electoral Act that provided for 12 months. 

He argued release of funds to INEC six months to election would create logistics challenges. 

He emphasised that electoral laws only strengthen democracy when implemented with integrity, urging INEC, political parties, civil society groups and security agencies to work collaboratively to guarantee transparency, accountability and public confidence in the electoral process.

The town hall meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to interrogate provisions of the new electoral law and assess Nigeria’s preparedness for credible elections ahead of 2027.