Why Lawmakers Backed Dual Voting System – Abbas

Why Lawmakers Backed Dual Voting System – Abbas

In Abuja on Sunday, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas said the National Assembly approved both electronic and manual transmission of election results to avoid shutting out voters ahead of the 2027 polls.

He spoke while receiving Spain’s ambassador at the National Assembly, explaining that the decision followed concerns about access and participation.

He said weak internet coverage and unstable electricity across many parts of Nigeria make full electronic transmission difficult.

Citing data from the communications regulator, he noted that large areas of the country still lack reliable connectivity, warning that relying only on technology could leave many unable to vote.

Abbas added that voter turnout has remained low even under the current system, and pushing a single digital method might worsen the situation.

The amended law, he said, allows electronic transmission where infrastructure permits, while manual methods will apply in areas without stable networks.

He maintained that democracy grows over time and pledged that the 2027 elections would be more credible and inclusive.

The reform, recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, has sparked debate, with supporters calling it practical and critics raising concerns about transparency.