Post by Henry Emeka (@Emekus)

Respectfully INEC budgeted ₦395.12 million specifically for electronic/real‑time transmission infrastructure, but Nigeria still relies heavily on manual hand counting and physical collation, which 240 million Nigerians say remains the stage most vulnerable to manipulation.

How much was spent on INEC’s real‑time transmission system?
According to INEC’s 2026 budget presentation to the National Assembly:

₦395.12 million was allocated specifically for electronic transmission of results.
This covered:

SIM cards

System configuration & integration

System support

Data bundles (1‑year validity)

INEC also noted that the cost could rise because telecom tariffs increased in 2025, raising the cost of data and connectivity nationwide.

Why wasn’t more spent?
INEC explained that it does not own its own national communication network and must rely on private telecom operators. Because of this, guaranteeing real‑time uploads everywhere in Nigeria is technically impossible without building a massive independent network—something far beyond its current budget.

Where is the real‑time transmission? Why did it fail?
INEC has repeatedly said:

It cannot guarantee real‑time uploads because it does not control Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure.

Many polling units—especially rural and riverine areas—still lack stable 3G/4G coverage.

Transmission depends on the same networks used by ordinary phone users. Where there is no coverage, uploads fail or are delayed.

This is why in 2023 and other elections, many results were not uploaded immediately, causing public distrust.

Why is manual hand counting still used—and why is it risky?
Nigeria still relies on manual counting and physical collation because:

The Senate rejected a law that would have made real‑time transmission mandatory. INEC is allowed to transmit electronically, but it is not legally required to do so.

Without a legal mandate, manual collation remains the official backbone of the process.

Why people say manual collation is dangerous
Experts and civil society groups warn that:

Manipulation often occurs during movement of results from polling units → ward → LGA → state collation centers.

This stage has historically been the weakest link in Nigeria’s elections.

Electronic transmission was introduced specifically to reduce this risk.

Because real‑time uploads are not guaranteed and not legally compulsory, the system still depends on human handling, which opens the door to:

Alteration of figures

Missing result sheets

Delayed collation

Conflicts between physical forms and digital uploads

Bottom line
INEC spent ₦395.12 million on e‑transmission infrastructure.

Real‑time transmission is not guaranteed due to network limitations and lack of a dedicated INEC communication system.

Manual hand counting and physical collation remain dominant—and are widely considered the most vulnerable point for rigging.

https://punchng.com/n395m-for-e-transmission-out-of-inecs-n873bn-budget/?utm_source=copilot.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcUGjv-8LxA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyzMn0YR1-U

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