The Nigeria Political Scientists Association (NPSA) has expressed concern over what it described as a “compromised position” by the Senate in allowing both manual and electronic modes of election results transmission to coexist under the nation’s electoral law.
In a statement signed by its National President, Prof. Hassan Saliu, and made available to journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State, the association acknowledged the progress represented by electronic transmission but warned that the coexistence of manual and electronic systems could undermine electoral integrity.
“Based on our experience, the technological infrastructure may fail, creating the option to switch to manual mode, which is preferred by the majority of Nigerian politicians, ostensibly because of the electoral advantages it confers,” the statement said.
“Herein lies our reduced optimism about this amendment passed by the Senate, which may be deemed progressive by all standards, given where the nation is coming from in the conduct of elections.”
The NPSA said the challenges facing Nigeria’s elections go beyond the mode of transmitting results, citing issues such as uneven and untimely distribution of election materials, late arrival of officials, voter intimidation, monetary inducement, and manipulation of results.
The association also highlighted problems in party primaries as part of systemic electoral flaws.
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“All Nigerians must rise to clean up the electoral process and usher in the much-desired regime of electoral transparency,” the statement added.
The Senate recently approved the electronic transmission of results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal while permitting manual collation as a backup in the event of technological failure.
The decision followed a reconsideration of a disputed clause in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill during an emergency plenary session on Tuesday.