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By Sola Rotimi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified its protocol for result transmission ahead of the February 21 Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, dismissing reports that results will be transmitted in “real-time.”
In a statement issued Tuesday by Adedayo Oketola, the Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, the Commission stated that the Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, did not use the phrase “real-time” during his recent inspection of readiness in the Kuje, Gwagwalada, and Bwari Area Councils.
The Commission described such headlines as a misrepresentation of the technical processes used by the body, explaining that while results will be transmitted electronically via the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the process only occurs after the conclusion of voting, counting, and the manual signing of result sheets by party agents.
It indicates that the term “real-time” incorrectly implies a live feed of votes as they are cast, which is not provided for in the current legal framework.
According to the statement, Prof. Amupitan reiterated that the Commission has maintained a settled protocol for electronic transmission since 2022.
He confirmed that the BVAS is fully capable of accrediting voters and uploading scanned copies of polling unit results, known as Form EC8A, to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
INEC urged media organizations to be meticulous in their reporting of technical election procedures to avoid public agitation, adding that it remains committed to conducting a transparent and technology-driven election in the FCT.
