By Muhammad Mamman
The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has pushed back strongly against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over comments on electronic transmission of election results, insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — not politicians — should determine its feasibility.
Mark’s response follows Akpabio’s remarks during deliberations on proposed amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Act, where the Senate President cautioned against mandating real-time electronic transmission of results, citing concerns over technical capacity.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Mark said the ADC’s position is clear: lawmakers should pass the law allowing electronic transmission, while leaving the operational decision to INEC.
“What the ADC is saying is simple: pass the law, and let INEC decide whether they can do it or not. Don’t speak for INEC,” Mark said.
He argued that excluding electronic transmission from the law would amount to prejudging INEC’s capabilities and undermining efforts to strengthen electoral transparency.
Mark, a former Senate President, stressed that technology-driven reforms are critical to restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s elections, noting that electronic transmission could significantly reduce manipulation and delays in announcing results.
The exchange comes amid renewed debates in the National Assembly over electoral reforms ahead of future polls, with civil society groups and opposition parties urging lawmakers to prioritise transparency and credibility in the voting process.
Several advocacy organisations have also called on the legislature to empower INEC with legal backing for electronic transmission, saying it would align Nigeria with global best practices and help curb electoral malpractice.
As discussions continue, Mark urged lawmakers to focus on creating a robust legal framework rather than second-guessing the electoral umpire, warning that failure to do so could stall much-needed democratic reforms.
