INEC Reveals Major Obstacle To Real-Time Result Uploads.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has disclosed that poor telecommunications connectivity remains the biggest barrier to real-time transmission of election results.

INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, SAN, speaking at the 2025 Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibitions in Abuja — and represented by National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu — said that despite significant progress made through the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, the Commission still struggles with uneven network coverage across the country.

According to a statement released on Tuesday by Dayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, voter impersonation and multiple voting have largely been eliminated, but real-time result uploads remain difficult in several remote areas.

He explained that with 176,846 polling units located in riverine zones, mountain settlements and distant communities, real-time uploads to the INEC Result Viewing Portal remain one of the most challenging aspects of election transparency.

“A tool like BVAS is only as effective as the network supporting it,” Amupitan stated.

He said INEC will continue working with the Nigerian Communications Commission and telecom operators to address the challenge, while also looking into alternative technologies to close existing gaps.

The INEC Chairman stressed that the introduction of BVAS has successfully ended identity theft during elections.

Speaking to an audience of tech innovators, civil society groups and policymakers, he said multiple voting and voter impersonation are now a thing of the past.

He described BVAS as a major milestone in Nigeria’s democratic process, calling it a reliable safeguard for verifying voters.

“The BVAS device is now our frontline shield against identity fraud, ensuring only the legitimate voter is accredited. With biometric checks firmly in place, impersonation has been removed from our electoral system,” he said.