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A former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has cautioned against viewing real-time transmission of election results as a cure all for electoral transparency, saying the mechanism alone cannot guarantee “100 per cent credibility” in Nigeria’s polls.
Dare made the remark on Wednesday while speaking at a policy dialogue on electoral reforms in Abuja, where stakeholders reviewed lessons from recent elections and ongoing amendments to the Electoral Act. According to him, while technology has improved the integrity of the voting process, systemic, legal, and human factors still play decisive roles.
“Real-time transmission is a powerful tool, but it is not a silver bullet,” Dare said. “Transparency in elections depends on a chain of processes from voter registration and accreditation to collation, dispute resolution, and institutional trust. Weakness in any link can undermine the entire outcome.”
He noted that overreliance on electronic transmission risks creating “false expectations” among voters if other elements of the electoral framework are not strengthened. Dare called for greater investment in training of electoral officials, clearer legal provisions, and improved cybersecurity safeguards.
“Technology can enhance transparency, but it must be supported by robust laws, competent personnel, and public confidence in institutions,” he added.
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Dare’s comments come amid renewed national debate over electoral reforms, particularly the role of electronic transmission of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Advocates argue that instant uploading of polling unit results reduces manipulation during collation, while critics warn about infrastructure gaps, network failures, and potential vulnerabilities.
Responding to the concerns, Dare urged policymakers to adopt a “holistic approach” to reform. “We should avoid framing the conversation as technology versus manual processes. The real task is building a resilient system where technology complements accountability and oversight.”
Participants at the dialogue, including civil society representatives and election observers, acknowledged the benefits of real-time transmission but agreed on the need for broader safeguards. Several speakers emphasised the importance of prosecuting electoral offences and ensuring independence of the electoral umpire.
