E-Transmission Possible: All 176,846 Polling Units in Nigeria Have Internet Access – Festus Okoye

 

​In a revelation that could redefine the conversation around electoral transparency in Nigeria, a former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Festus Okoye, has asserted that every single polling unit in the country has the necessary internet connectivity to support the electronic transmission of results. Speaking on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Okoye dismissed the long-standing narrative that "blind spots" in rural Nigeria prevent the real-time upload of election data to the IReV (INEC Result Viewing) portal.

​The Connectivity Myth Debunked

​For years, the feasibility of e-transmission has been a bone of contention between civil society organizations, political parties, and the electoral umpire. During the 2023 general elections, technical glitches and "network issues" were frequently cited as reasons for the delay in uploading presidential results.

​However, Okoye’s recent comments suggest that the infrastructure is already in place. According to him, the 176,846 polling units across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are within reach of internet service, whether through mobile network operators (MNOs) or satellite technology.

​The Role of MNOs and Satellite Tech

​Okoye explained that even in areas where traditional 4G or 5G coverage might be weak, the use of satellite-backed communication tools ensures that data can be transmitted. "There is no part of this country that is not covered by one form of internet or the other," he stated, emphasizing that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is designed to store data offline and transmit the moment it senses a signal.

​Technical Infrastructure: BVAS and IReV Explained

​To understand why Okoye’s claim is significant, one must look at how the technology is supposed to work. The Nigerian electoral system relies on two primary pillars of technology:

1. ​BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System): A hardware device used to verify voters via fingerprints or facial recognition. Crucially, it is also used to scan and upload the Form EC8A (the result sheet) at the polling unit.
2. ​IReV (INEC Result Viewing Portal): An online platform where the scanned results are uploaded for public viewing.

​Okoye’s assertion implies that any failure to upload results in real-time is likely a matter of "administrative or human interference" rather than a lack of technological infrastructure. He argued that if the political will is present, the "technical impossibility" excuse no longer holds water.

​Why This Matters for the 2027 General Elections

​As Nigeria prepares for the next major electoral cycle, the focus is shifting toward legislative reforms that would make electronic transmission mandatory rather than discretionary. Okoye’s testimony provides ammunition for advocates of the Electoral Act amendments.

​Restoring Public Trust

​The 2023 elections left a section of the electorate skeptical about the efficacy of the IReV portal. By confirming that 100% internet access is a reality, Okoye is essentially calling for higher accountability. If the network exists, the public will expect nothing less than instantaneous transparency in future polls.

​Security and Data Integrity

​With full internet access comes the challenge of cybersecurity. Okoye noted that while the "blind spots" are gone, INEC must invest heavily in end-to-end encryption to prevent hackers from intercepting result packets during the transmission process from the polling unit to the central server.

​Addressing the "Blind Spot" Narrative

​Critics of e-transmission often point to the thick forests of the North-East or the rugged terrains of the South-South as areas where internet fails. Okoye countered this by highlighting the progress made by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and private telecommunications giants.

​"We have moved past the era of 'no network,'" Okoye insisted. He suggested that in the few areas where mobile signals are truly non-existent, the provision of mobile hotspots or satellite terminals for presiding officers is a low-cost solution that INEC has the budget to implement.

​Key Statistic: Nigeria currently has over 150 million active internet subscriptions, with a broadband penetration rate that continues to climb, covering nearly all inhabited geographical zones.

​The Roadmap to 2027: Okoye’s Recommendations

​To ensure that the 176,846 polling units effectively utilize this internet access, the former commissioner recommended:

• ​Pre-Election Mapping: A comprehensive audit of network strength at every single polling unit six months before any election.
• ​MNO Partnerships: Formalizing Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with telecommunications providers to prioritize election data traffic.
• ​Redundancy Systems: Equipping every local government headquarters with high-speed satellite internet as a backup for the polling units.

​Conclusion

​Festus Okoye’s declaration that all Nigerian polling units have internet access is a game-changer for the country's democratic journey. It removes the primary technical excuse for delays in result transmission and places the burden of performance squarely on the shoulders of the electoral commission. As the debate over the future of Nigerian elections heats up, the focus will undoubtedly stay on how this "100% connectivity" can be leveraged to produce an indisputable and transparent vote.