Shehu Sani, former Kaduna Central senator has cautioned against treating electronic transmission of election results as a cure-all for Nigeria’s electoral challenges.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Sani said credible elections require more than technology, stressing that integrity and political discipline are more decisive than the tools used for collation.
His remarks come amid mounting criticism of the National Assembly’s decision not to make real-time electronic transmission compulsory in the amended Electoral Act.
The controversy has triggered protests in Abuja and heated exchanges in both chambers of parliament.
According to Sani, no system is immune to abuse if those managing it lack commitment to fairness.
“Having electronic transfer of results does not automatically eliminate manipulation,” he said, adding that the real issue lies in the collective resolve to protect the sanctity of the ballot.
The former lawmaker argued that malpractice such as vote-buying demonstrates that electoral problems are rooted in behaviour rather than process.
While endorsing electronic transmission, he maintained that legislation should also recognise practical realities.
He said there must be room for manual collation in cases where technical breakdowns occur, warning that rigid requirements without fallback options could create confusion or delay results.
Sani further noted that even advanced democracies struggle with seamless nationwide digital result transmission, urging Nigeria to adopt reforms that are workable rather than idealistic.
