Rotimi Akapo, Partner and Head of the Telecommunications, Media and Technology Practice Group, has stated that Nigeria is equipped with adequate infrastructure for the electronic transmission of election results. He contends that the true impediments are not technological but rather lie in achieving legal clarity, effective system design, and fostering public trust.
Akapo shared his views in a discussion with ARISE News on Friday, arguing that delaying electoral reform in pursuit of a flawless technological environment would be counterproductive. He suggested that aiming for a completely perfect system would perpetually hinder the adoption of technology in elections.
He challenged the common assertion that insufficient broadband coverage makes real-time transmission unfeasible, pointing out that network availability across the nation is already significant. "My understanding is that about 90 per cent of Nigeria currently has network coverage. If we are going to be serious about this, we should not be using technology as an excuse," he stated. Akapo further advised focusing on how to design the electoral process to effectively integrate technological tools.
He highlighted that the electronic transmission of results constitutes only a single phase of the broader electoral process, not the entire undertaking. "Transmission is towards the end of the process," Akapo explained. He also noted that transmitting election results does not demand high broadband capacity, as minimal connectivity suffices.
Addressing concerns about uploading results from areas with intermittent network access, Akapo drew a parallel to everyday mobile phone usage. "We do this every day on our phones. Sometimes a video does not upload immediately. When you get to an area with connectivity, it uploads. It is the same principle," he remarked.
However, he acknowledged that the core of the current debate revolves around confidence in the electoral system. "What you are referring to is a matter of trust. Do we trust the process? And that can be taken care of by design," Akapo commented.
He emphasized that while no technological system is entirely infallible, the risks associated with them can be effectively managed through appropriate safeguards. "There is no system that is infallible. But it is how we design it to mitigate the risks that is critical," he said.
Akapo identified the establishment of an unambiguous legal framework that empowers the electoral commission to adopt technology as the most crucial step in rebuilding confidence. "The legal framework itself needs to be very clear. There must be no ambiguity about the ability of the electoral umpire to adopt technology," he stressed.
He further commented on the inherent transparency and auditability of modern election technologies. "These technology tools leave trails. They can be audited. If anybody tampers with the system, you will know at what point the tampering occurred, from which system, and who was responsible," Akapo stated. He added that such safeguards are essential elements to be integrated during the system's design phase.
Regarding the mandatory nature of electronic transmission, Akapo proposed that the law should establish it as the standard procedure, with clearly defined exceptions. "Electronic transmission should be in the law as a matter of default. Every other thing should be an exception," he argued. He suggested that areas lacking connectivity could be designated as exceptions, provided these are clearly stipulated.
He cautioned against allowing discretion in such matters without established rules or consequences. "If a polling unit officer says it is impossible to transmit in real time, the rules guiding that conclusion must be clear. It must not be left to personal discretion," Akapo advised.
Akapo pointed out that Nigeria's current electoral laws lack sufficient enforceable sanctions for individuals who exploit technological loopholes. "When people hide behind technology, there is no consequence. That is what is missing in our electoral laws," he observed.
He concluded by stressing the necessity for transparency throughout the entire process, from polling units to the central server. "Once there is ambiguity, it gives people an opportunity not to be transparent," Akapo warned. "The process must be easily auditable so that anyone can see where the fault lies, who complied with the law, and who did not."
By Boluwatife Enome
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