Tinubu defends the use of manual counting
President Bola Tinubu has stated that the electronic transmission of election results cannot entirely replace the traditional manual process in Nigeria.
While signing the Electoral Act 2026, the President noted that “human involvement” is still essential to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the vote. He argued that the current broadband capacity of the country makes a 100% digital system “unrealistic” at this time.
The President emphasized that as long as Nigerians still cast their ballots manually at polling units, the counting process must remain transparent and physical. He noted that the role of technology should be to “aid” the process rather than take it over completely. This stance has sparked a massive debate among those who believe that electronic transmission is the only way to end rigging.
Addressing the risk of hacking and glitches
A major concern raised by the President involves the vulnerability of digital systems to “unnecessary hacking” and technical glitches. He noted that even in more advanced nations, electronic systems have faced significant challenges that led to a loss of public trust. “Nigeria will get there,” he promised, but he insisted that the transition must be gradual and “well-managed.”
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, supported this view, stating that the new law provides the “perfect balance” between technology and human oversight. He argued that the introduction of the IReV portal already allows citizens to view results in real-time without compromising the manual foundation. The goal is to create a “fail-safe” system that satisfies both the local electorate and the international community.
Opposition reacts to the manual transmission focus
The opposition parties have criticized the President’s comments, describing them as an “invitation to manual manipulation.” They argue that the only way to prevent the “doctoring” of results at collation centers is to make electronic transmission mandatory and instant. They believe that the President is “avoiding” the one reform that would truly transform Nigerian elections.
Despite the criticism, the government maintains that the 2026 Act is a “milestone” that will ensure free and fair polls in 2027. They have urged INEC to begin the necessary procurement of hardware to avoid the “eleventh hour” rush that has plagued past exercises. For now, the “manual vs digital” debate continues to be the most contentious issue in the Nigerian political space.
