Mr Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in 2023 and human rights activist, has criticised the Senate’s decision to approve electronic transmission of election results with manual backup, calling for mandatory real-time digital voting. In a monitored interview, Sowore expressed concerns that the current provision leaves room for manipulation and legal loopholes, undermining transparency and public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Sowore explained that Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines can transmit results immediately or once a network is available, but the law must ensure results are sent to the INEC Result Viewing Portal as soon as voting concludes. He argued that the Senate’s optional provision could allow authorities to bypass transparency, and stressed that other countries, like India, have successfully implemented electronic voting for hundreds of millions of voters.
He also highlighted outdated practices in Nigeria, saying physical ballot handling is prone to fraud and slows the process. Sowore advocated for hybrid systems in areas without digital access while pushing for broader adoption of electronic voting. He further criticised government inaction on refinery repairs, describing it as deliberate mismanagement for private gain while praising private sector solutions like Dangote’s refinery as a model.
Sowore concluded that Nigeria needs progressive electoral reforms and accountability measures to restore trust in governance and elections.
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