Lecky made the remarks while speaking on the issue of transmission versus collation of results in a video shared by Channels Television on Friday.
Reacting to renewed calls for instantaneous live transmission of election results from polling units, Lecky said such expectations were misplaced and could distract from the core principles of transparency and credibility in elections.
According to him, the integrity of the process is not necessarily dependent on how fast results are transmitted.
“It doesn’t really make sense to me that we should be talking about instantaneous transmission of results live as it is happening,” Lecky said.
He explained that elections involve multiple stages, including voting, counting, recording, collation, and verification, all of which must be conducted carefully to avoid errors and disputes.
He warned that rushing the process in the name of speed could create more problems than it solves.
Lecky noted that what matters most is that results recorded at polling units are accurate, verifiable, and protected from manipulation as they move through the collation process.
He stressed that safeguards, checks, and balances should take priority over the demand for immediate online updates.
According to the former INEC commissioner, the fixation on real-time transmission has often been politicised, with stakeholders using it as a tool to cast doubt on election outcomes even before all lawful procedures are completed.
He added that delays in announcing results do not automatically translate to rigging or malpractice.
He further argued that Nigeria’s electoral environment presents unique logistical and technological challenges, including poor network coverage in rural areas, power supply issues, and security concerns.
These factors, he said, make the idea of seamless live transmission across the country unrealistic.
Lecky maintained that electronic transmission of results can still play a useful role in improving transparency, but only when properly integrated into the broader electoral framework.
He said it should complement, not replace, established procedures such as physical result sheets, party agent verification, and statutory collation processes.
The former commissioner also urged political actors and the public to develop a better understanding of the distinction between transmission of results and collation of results.
He explained that while transmission involves sending results from polling units, collation is the lawful process of aggregating and confirming those results at designated centres.
His comments come amid ongoing debates over electoral reforms and the role of technology in Nigeria’s elections, with civil society groups and opposition parties continuing to push for stronger digital safeguards.
Lecky, however, cautioned that technology alone cannot guarantee credible elections without trust, institutional discipline, and respect for due process.
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