The Managing Director of the Nigerian Communications
Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Jane Egerton-Idehen, has said that
Nigeria already possesses the technical capacity to support real-time
electronic transmission of election results.
Egerton-Idehen emphasized that NIGCOMSAT should be
included as part of the solution whenever discussions about electronic
transmission of election results arise.
According to her, the country has invested heavily in
satellite infrastructure, and it is important to maximize the benefits of that
investment.
She noted that Nigeria is among the few African
nations that have made significant investments in satellite technology, adding
that no other country in West Africa currently has a similar level of
investment. Because of this, she stressed that the nation must fully utilize
the asset.
Egerton-Idehen explained that both the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) and mobile network operators currently
provide about 93 percent coverage for electronic result transmission.
However, she said the remaining seven percent coverage gap, especially
in remote areas, can be effectively addressed through satellite technology.
According to her, while expanding mobile network
infrastructure to every location may take time, satellites can easily bridge
the gap and ensure nationwide coverage for election result transmission.
She also emphasized the need for Nigerians to
understand the value of the country’s satellite investments, noting that most
of the technology is designed to benefit citizens and improve services across
the country.
Her comments come weeks after the National Assembly
passed the Electoral Act 2026 following months of intense debate.
Although the lawmakers approved electronic transmission of election results,
the legislation also provides for a manual backup system in case of
technical failures.
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