Digitalize Voting System and Electronic Transmission ofElection Results in Nigeria: Insights from the 2023Presidential Election

Abstract

This research paper examines the political calculations surrounding themotivation for the passage of the bill for the transmission of election results bythe Nigerian parliament. It argues that the e-transmission of election resultsgenerated mixed reactions among parliamentarians, especially between membersAfrican Renaissance- It is accredited by DHET (the South African regulator of HigherEducation) and indexed by SCOPUS, SABINET, EBSCO,ProQuest, ERIH PLUS, COPERNICUS, IBSS and J-Gate.Special Issue, August 2024pp 111-133 of the All Progressive Congress and the People Democratic Party. Whileresearch attention has been paid to the utility-value and importance of e-transmission of results, there is very little research on what exactly is theundercurrent for the failure of INEC to timely release the 2023 presidentialelection results. Prior to the 2023 general election, INEC had promised totransmit the election results electronically. While this initiative drew massiveattention and commendation, it also raises suspicion for the sustenance of suchan initiative by INEC. Drawing on secondary sources of data collection, thispaper found that the inability of INEC to timely transmit the 2023 presidentialelection results generated mixed reactions, possibly reducing public trust andmarring the public image of Nigeria's electoral body globally and nationally. Itconcluded that INEC's report on technical hitches, ICT failure, and attacks onits Result Viewing Portal (IREV) significantly undermine the sustainability ofdigitalise voting system and electronic transmission of results (ETRs) in Nigeria.