A governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, Barrister Niyi Aborisade, has cautioned against the misuse of manual result transmission in future elections, warning that it must not become an avenue for electoral manipulation.

Aborisade, who spoke with journalists about preparations ahead of the 2027 general election, stressed that while the Electoral Act provides for technological innovations such as electronic accreditation and the transmission of results, safeguards must be strengthened to prevent abuse when manual processes are applied.

“Electronic transmission of results is critical to transparency. Where technology fails, and manual collation becomes necessary, it must not be used as an opportunity to tamper with figures,” he said.

According to him, confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system has been shaken in recent years by allegations of altered figures and discrepancies between polling unit results and final declarations.

“We have seen situations where numbers recorded at polling units were allegedly different from what was eventually announced. That undermines public trust and fuels post-election disputes,” he added.

The ADC chieftain argued that electoral credibility depends not only on legal provisions but also on the integrity of those implementing them.

“The law may be sound, but if individuals are determined to manipulate the process, they will look for loopholes. That is why manual transmission must be strictly monitored and backed by verifiable documentation,” he said.

Aborisade called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen oversight mechanisms, particularly at collation centres, to ensure transparency throughout the process.

He also urged political parties and civil society groups to mobilise voters to remain vigilant during elections.

“Citizens must not only vote; they must follow through lawfully to ensure their votes are protected. Transparency is everyone’s responsibility,” he stated.

Reiterating his position on the 2027 poll, Aborisade said Nigeria has the capacity to conduct free and fair elections if there is genuine political will.

“Nigeria has done it before. It can be done again. What is required is commitment to the rule of law and respect for the will of the people,” he said.

He maintained that credible elections would reduce political tension and strengthen democratic stability across the country.

“If the process is transparent, the outcome will be accepted. That is the foundation of democracy,” he added.