Telecommunication operators in Nigeria, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Globacom and T2 Mobile, have said the country has the capacity for the real-time electronic transmission of election results, the operators said in Abuja on Tuesday.
The comments from the telecom industry followed public debate and legislative discussions over the proposed Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026, including a rejected amendment on making real-time electronic result transmission mandatory.
The Senate had maintained the existing legal framework that allows, but does not mandate, electronic transmission of results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Results Viewing portal.
In response to claims that inadequate connectivity made mandatory real-time transmission unfeasible, telecom operators challenged such assertions and referenced network coverage data.
The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) said over 70 per cent of the country was covered by 3G and 4G networks, with 11 per cent covered by 5G, while widespread 2G coverage exists nationwide.
ALTON Chairman Engr Gbenga Adebayo said transmitting results electronically using Form EC8A does not require high-level network infrastructure and that 2G coverage is sufficient for that purpose.
He questioned information about inadequate infrastructure that did not originate from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria’s telecom regulator.
Adebayo noted that only a few areas, specifically two states affected by security challenges, lack maintainable telecom infrastructure, and called for stakeholders to work together on solutions for those areas.
Engr Adebayo said: “As we speak today, over 70 per cent of the country is covered with 3G and 4G, and 5G have about 11 per cent coverage and the rest is 2G. Even in reality, 2G is strong enough to transmit results electronically.”
Comments from major telecom operators intersect with ongoing national debate on electoral reforms and technology integration in the electoral process as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general election cycle.
Views on network readiness continue to shape legislative discussions on how best to deploy electronic tools for electoral transparency.
