Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has called for a review of Nigeria’s electoral laws to mandate the electronic transmission of results, describing it as a critical step towards improving transparency and accountability in the country’s electoral process.
Jega made the statement on Thursday, June 12, while speaking at The Platform, a civic engagement session sponsored by The Covenant Nation to honor Nigeria’s Democracy Day. The ceremony, held in the Iganmu district of Lagos, was attended by numerous famous Nigerians, including former ministers, governors, and civic leaders.
“There is a need for an increase in the use of technology for elections for transparency and accountability,” Jega said, adding that the Electoral Act has to be modified to make the electronic transmission of results necessary. “There is also the need to improve upon the provisions of the Electoral Act 2003 to make electronic transmission of results mandatory.”
He stated that many Nigerians remain apprehensive about the use of electoral technology owing to prior experiences and a perceived lack of transparency. “It is very important that there is a transparent process of civil engagement in testing this equipment before they are deployed,” he added, recommending that more be done to promote confidence in the voting system.
Jega’s views come in the aftermath of concerns surrounding the 2023 general elections, notably the presidential race which saw President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) proclaimed victorious. The electronic transfer of results was a significant issue during the post-election legal battles, with the Supreme Court finally deciding that INEC had the power to select the mode of delivering results.
The former INEC chief also underlined the need to clarify unclear sections of the legislation relating the electronic transmission of results. “There is a need to clear any ambiguity about the electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Act,” he stated.
Beyond electoral reforms, Jega also argued for structural improvements in the legislative branch of government. He recommended a change to a part-time legislature at both the federal and state levels, noting that the expense of maintaining Nigeria’s bicameral National Assembly is unsustainable.
“Nigeria needs part-time legislators and a reduction in the number of elected lawmakers to ease the pressure on the country’s funds,” he stated.