Electoral Act Amendment: Appraising Real-Time Electronic Transmission

By Femi Falana

Nigeria stands at a defining electoral moment. The ongoing amendment to the Electoral Act presents not merely a technical legislative adjustment but a historic opportunity to consolidate democratic transparency and institutional credibility. At the heart of this debate lies the issue of the real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results, a matter that has generated controversy, misunderstanding, and policy uncertainty.

*Falana

Let us begin by clarifying the issue. Nigeria does not operate electronic voting. Ballots are cast manually. Votes are counted manually. Results are recorded manually on Form EC8A. The debate before the nation is not about transmitting digital votes. It is about whether the scanned copy of the duly completed and signed polling unit result sheet should be electronically uploaded directly from the polling unit immediately after counting and signing.

Insecurity: Managing Our Clear And Present Danger

 By Adekunle Adekoya

There can be no further doubt in the minds of the average Nigerian that our dear country faces a clear and present danger on many fronts. The immediate one is the unrelenting wave of terror attacks, exemplified by repeated attacks on communities in Kwara State, which was preceded by abduction of Kebbi school girls, now said to have regained freedom.

Another problem the nation faces is with regard to the procurement, sale and use of narcotics and other psychotropic substances. The NDLEA, under General Mohammed Marwa has been doing a good job on that front, but he needs support. More on that another day.