Senator Adams Oshiomhole has expressed concerns over provisions relating to the real-time transmission of election results to the IReV portal, saying practical challenges in network connectivity could create legal and operational issues during elections.………
Oshiomhole spoke during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, while discussing aspects of the Electoral Act and the implementation of electronic transmission of results.
The senator said the main concern among stakeholders was not the Electoral Act in general terms, but the interpretation and implementation of the requirement for real-time transmission of results: “First, let me speak to the one that, although you didn’t amplify, you just spoke in general term about the Electoral Act. I think the one that people are worried about is about transmission of result to IReV real-time.”
Oshiomhole questioned the interpretation of the term “real-time,” arguing that its ordinary meaning suggests immediate action without delay: “Now, real-time, you check the definition. I think my dancing friend and colleague there, Rufai, always talking about empirical evidence.”
He continued, “Now, what is the definition by any dictionary of reference or Google of real-time? It means immediately.”
According to the senator, while the intention behind real-time transmission may be positive, existing technical and infrastructural realities across parts of the country could make strict compliance difficult. “Now, the truth of the matter is, intentions are good, but they are not enough. You must have an environment that will allow those intentions to flourish,” he said.
He added, “As it stands today, there are occasions, even (…..) in area where you have services, for some technical problem, you find that there’s no service until they are rectified.”
Oshiomhole explained that situations where electoral officials are unable to upload results instantly due to poor network coverage could raise questions about compliance with the law. “So, if you cast a vote, and you finish, and it is counted, and they are recorded in the beavers, and you press to send, and it doesn’t go, because there is no signal in that particular locality,” he said.
He added, “You have to move from there to the nearest area where you probably find signal. That is no longer real-time.”
The lawmaker further stated that legal disputes could arise over the interpretation of the phrase if it is strictly defined in court. “And if it is a law, lawyers and judges will have a free day, try to define and interpret the meaning of real-time,” he stated.
