Shehu Sani Warns E-Transmission Alone Cannot Guarantee Free and Fair Elections in Nigeria

Former Senator Shehu Sani has cautioned that the electronic transmission of election results does not automatically ensure free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Sani responded to the Senate’s recent approval of amendments to the Electoral Act, which now allows electronic transmission of results while retaining manual collation as a backup.

“Electronic transfer does not mean that we’re going to have 100% free and fair elections. There is no electoral system that those who intend to rig cannot circumvent,” Sani said.

He further explained that the combination of manual voting and electronic results transmission is not a foolproof solution. According to Sani, the integrity of elections ultimately depends on the intent and practice of all stakeholders, rather than the technology used.

“For example, you can have laws everywhere prohibiting inducement of voters, yet people will still attempt it, and we lack the manpower to monitor every polling unit,” he added.

The former lawmaker emphasized that technological solutions cannot replace political will, proper oversight, and strong enforcement mechanisms in ensuring credible elections.

Sani’s remarks come amid debates over the new Electoral Act amendment, which the Senate approved on Tuesday, a move that has sparked discussions on the effectiveness of electronic voting systems in Nigeria.