Abbas Defends Hybrid Result Transmission Ahead Of 2027 Elections

Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas has defended the National Assembly’s decision to retain both electronic and manual transmission of election results, saying a hybrid model is the most realistic option for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election.

Abbas spoke in Abuja while receiving Spain’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Felix Costales, during a courtesy visit focused on electoral reform and parliamentary cooperation. He said calls for an electronic-only system do not fully account for infrastructure limits across large parts of the country.

According to the Speaker, available telecom data shows that almost 40 per cent of Nigeria’s territory remains underserved by internet access. He said that gap creates a major risk if the country relies solely on real-time electronic transmission.

“A lot of people believe we should adopt full electronic transmission in real time,” Abbas said. “But even in advanced cities like Abuja, stable internet service is not guaranteed at all times. If we insist on only electronic transmission, we risk disenfranchising a significant portion of Nigerians.”

He said turnout levels from previous elections already point to deep voter apathy. Abbas noted that participation has hovered around 12 to 15 per cent of registered voters and warned that excluding communities with weak connectivity could push turnout lower.

“If with the current manual arrangement we are only recording about 12 to 15 per cent participation, introducing an exclusive electronic system in a country where 40 per cent of areas lack adequate internet will further reduce turnout,” he said.

Abbas also linked digital voting logistics to power supply constraints. He said internet operations depend on electricity and asked how real-time nationwide transmission can be guaranteed on election day without dependable power in all locations.

He maintained that lawmakers acted to protect inclusion and credibility, not to weaken transparency. Under the revised approach, he said, electronic transmission will be used where infrastructure allows, while manual transmission will remain available where it does not.

“The hybrid system ensures that where electronic transmission is feasible, it will be used, and where it is not, manual transmission will apply,” Abbas said.

The Speaker said he had engaged the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission and remained optimistic about reforms planned before 2027. He expressed confidence that the next election cycle would be more transparent and more accommodating than previous polls.

Abbas also described democratic development as gradual, saying every system improves over time through repeated cycles, legal adjustment and institutional learning.

In his remarks, Ambassador Costales said Spain would follow developments around Nigeria’s 2027 polls and support stronger parliamentary ties. He said democratic systems often require compromise, especially in periods of sharp political disagreement, and added that Spain is open to deeper technical cooperation with Nigeria on legislative processes.

The discussions, according to both sides, also covered institutional collaboration beyond election day. Abbas said Nigeria would benefit from practical exchanges in legislative drafting, committee support systems and parliamentary oversight methods. He added that partnerships with countries that have long democratic experience could help lawmakers improve implementation, not just policy design.

Costales said Spain understands the pressures that come with major election cycles and believes sustained inter-parliament engagement can reduce mistrust around reforms. He said both countries can widen cooperation through structured dialogue between lawmakers, technical advisers and election-focused institutions as preparations for 2027 continue.