Yiaga Africa boss, Itodo, says Senate is scared of real-time transmission of election results

Itodo further noted that the weakest link in Nigeria’s entire results management process is at the collation level.

By Kehinde Okeowo        

Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, has suggested that the Nigerian Senate is scared of the real-time transmission of election results in 2027.

​He made this known recently while appearing as a guest on the Channels Television programme, ‘Sunday Politics’.

​On Wednesday, the Senate reportedly turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, sub-section 3 of the Electoral Amendment Bill, which sought to make the electronic transmission of election results compulsory.

​Speaking on the decision, Itodo claimed that federal lawmakers are scared because of the power electronic transmission holds.

According to him, the real-time e-transmission of results enhances the transparency of the process and acts as a deterrent against malpractice.

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​He noted that the weakest link in Nigeria’s entire results management process is at the collation level, adding that this is where results are most frequently manipulated.

​During the interview, Itodo said: “What you do about those vulnerabilities is institute mechanisms that limit the extent of vulnerability to prevent any form of attack, because there is no system in the world that is insulated from penetration.

​“So, let’s get that clear. But in this particular instance, what the political class seems to be scared of is the power that electronic transmission of results has.

​“What does it do? It enhances the transparency of the process. It also ensures a deterrent effect, because the lowest and perhaps weakest link of our entire results management process is at the collation level. That is where results are manipulated.

​“What INEC did by introducing electronic transmission, such as iReV, is ensure that after voting at the polling unit, you collate the results, enter them into the result sheets, and then upload them to a portal defined by INEC. That way, it enhances accessibility so that by the time it reaches the collation centre, everyone has already seen the result.”