PEPT: Tribunal rules no provision for electronic transmission of results in Electoral Act

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) has ruled that there is no mandatory provision in the Electoral Act 2022 for the electronic transmission of election results.

The Justice Haruna Tsammani-led panel emphasised that the sole technological requirement mandated for use by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during elections is the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

On the allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, INEC Regulations and Guidelines, Justice Tsammani noted that there is no indication in the regulations that BVAS must electronically transmit polling unit results.

“There is no provision for the electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act 2022. It is at best optional,” he said.

Details later…