As Nigerians continue to debate the electronic transfer of election results, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Friday stated the total safety for the results cannot be guaranteed, emphasizing that no system is completely free from hackers.
Recall that federal lawmakers had a rowdy debate session over the inclusion of electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Act Amendment on Thursday, in Abuja.
During the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, Sabi Abdullahi, deputy senate whip, proposed that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) must certify that national coverage is adequate and secure while the national assembly must approve before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can transmit election results.
But Albert Bassey, senator representing Akwa Ibom north-east, kicked against the idea and said the initial proposal made by the committee should be retained.
“The commission may transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when practicable,” section 50(3) of the report read.
After a rowdy session and using a “division” voting method, the senate eventually retained Abdullahi’s amendment after a 52-28 vote.
However, according to the Executive Commissioner of the NCC, Adeleke Adewolu on Friday, he stated that while concerns over the electronic transmission of results are genuine, no system can guarantee a 100 percent shield from hacking.
Adewolu further explained that elections results can only be transmitted by a 3G network, noting that 50 percent of the country has 3G coverage.
However, he stated that for areas without such coverage, poll results can be recorded and thereafter uploaded in places where there is a network. But Adeleke admitted that this cannot be compared with the real-time upload.
More details later…
