Awuzie Calls for Mandatory E-Transmission of Election Results, Warns Against Foreign Data Control
Awuzie Calls for Mandatory E-Transmission of Election Results, Warns Against Foreign Data Control
By Matthew Eloyi
Technology and cybersecurity expert, Dr Charles Awuzie has called on Nigerian authorities to make electronic transmission of election results mandatory, while insisting that such reforms must go hand in hand with strong data sovereignty and local control of election technologies.
In a statement shared on his verified Facebook page on Saturday, Awuzie disclosed that he has written formal letters to members of the Electoral Act Reform Committee, demanding concrete legislative backing for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy. He said the letters would be submitted on Monday, with copies made available to the media.
Awuzie also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately terminate contracts with data centres that are not located within Nigeria, stressing that hosting election data outside the country undermines national sovereignty.
“We cannot talk about electronic transmission when the majority of Nigerians do not understand the basic concept of data sovereignty,” he said, warning that foreign control of critical election infrastructure exposes the country to external interference.
Drawing comparisons with global experiences, Awuzie noted that even advanced democracies like the United States have faced allegations of foreign interference in their electoral processes. He cautioned that foreign nations are constantly seeking avenues to influence elections in other countries.
“As we demand electronic transmission, we must not fail to ask for localisation of electioneering technologies,” he said.
The cybersecurity expert warned that implementing mandatory real-time electronic transmission without robust local cybersecurity capacity could be dangerous. According to him, weak systems would turn elections into a battleground for both local and foreign hackers, posing serious risks to national interest.
“If we do not have strong cybersecurity capability and the ability to localise election technology, then mandatory real-time electronic transmission becomes a democratic suicide,” Awuzie said.
He explained that his letter to the Electoral Act Reform Committee outlines specific conditions that must be met to ensure safe and credible electronic transmission of results, including investment in local technology infrastructure and cybersecurity frameworks.
Awuzie lamented what he described as Nigeria’s persistent underinvestment in technology despite having the financial capacity to build advanced systems. He called on all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritise technology spending above other budgetary items.
“Technology is the salvation Nigeria needs,” he said, adding that improved technological capacity could significantly address insecurity with fewer conventional security measures.
He expressed optimism that the ongoing public debate on electronic transmission and technology reform could push Nigeria to take cybersecurity more seriously and adopt sustainable digital solutions for governance and national development.
