Electronic Transmission Of Results: About 49.7% Of The National Spread Did Not Have Internet Coverage -NCC.

By Helen Udoh-Abuja

The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has said that about 49.7% of the national spread did not have Internet coverage, which is required for real-time electronic transmission of electoral results.

The Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Engr. Ubale Maska made this known while responding to questions by House of Representatives over the suitability of the use of electronic devices for the transmission of election results in the country

Recall that officials of the Nigerian Communications Commission on Friday, July 16, 2021, was summoned and questioned by the House of Representatives over the suitability of the use of electronic devices for the transmission of election results in the country as part of ongoing discussion in the House as being provided in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

The House had, on Thursday, July 15, 2021, invited the NCC to brief it on the nation’s network coverage before continuing debate on the contentious provision of electronic transmission of results during elections.

The Commission was represented before the House members by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Engr. Ubale Maska and the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Mr. Adeleke Adewolu.

Maska, who spoke on behalf of the team, told members that less than 50% of the country enjoys 3G Internet coverage for which electronic transmission of results could rely on.

He noted that as at 2018, when the Commission carried out a survey of 109,000 polling units, of the country’s 119,000 polling units were covered.

According to him the surveyed polling unit areas were covered mostly by the 3G and 2G networks, which represents about 50.3% of the entire country.

Maska pointed that about 49.7% of the national spread did not have Internet coverage, adding that this does not meet the required coverage for real-time electronic transmission of electoral results in the country.

He said,”About 49.7% of the national spread did not have Internet coverage, which will be required for real-time electronic transmission of electoral results.”

Asked if 2G technology could be used for electronic transmission of results, Engr. Maska said though he wished the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was around to answer, however, only 3G could transmit results effectively.