Public affairs analyst Shehu Mahdi has asserted that Nigeria has the capacity to conduct real-time electronic transmission of election results.
Speaking on Friday during an appearance on Arise Television, Mahdi joined the ongoing national conversation on the adoption of electronic result transmission.
His remarks followed the Senate’s amendment of Section 60 of the Electoral Act, allowing presiding officers at polling units to electronically upload results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Results Viewing Portal (IREV).
Responding to the amendment, Mahdi criticized what he described as lawmakers’ reluctance, maintaining that the country already has the manpower, financial strength, and infrastructure needed to support live transmission of results.
“The Senate is toying with the future of Nigeria. We have the manpower, financial capacity, and infrastructure to enable real-time transmission. Enough of the pretence and breach of the law,” he said.
He argued that continued delays in fully implementing electronic transmission could undermine Nigeria’s democratic development and global reputation.
“If the Senate believes Nigeria is not ready for live transmission, when will it be ready? The country is more than prepared,” Mahdi stated.
Mahdi also cited the use of digital platforms such as Zoom for official meetings by the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly as proof of Nigeria’s technological readiness.
“A country that conducts high-level meetings via Zoom is adequately prepared for live transmission of election results,” he added.
