…highlights technology, voter mobilisation and accountability at civil society forum
By Nkechi Eze
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has called for deeper national consensus, stronger civic participation and sustained technological innovation as essential pillars for securing Nigeria’s democracy and guaranteeing credible elections. He made this call in Abuja on Wednesday during the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room’s Annual Stakeholders’ Forum on Elections.
Speaking before civil society leaders, national commissioners, the media and other stakeholders, Prof. Amupitan described the forum now in its ninth year as a vital national platform for reflection, dialogue and collective action. He said the theme for the 2025 edition, “Securing Nigeria’s Democracy: Building Consensus for Credible Elections and Accountable Governance,” captures the core mission of democratic consolidation and the shared responsibility required to achieve it.
He noted that securing Nigeria’s democracy demands a proactive, multi-sectoral approach, stressing that challenges such as misinformation, vote-buying, rigging and electoral violence continue to undermine public trust. According to him, credible elections remain the “undisputed foundation of democracy,” and accountability in governance can only thrive when electoral outcomes are trusted by citizens. He emphasised that consensus among political parties, the media, security agencies, civil society and INEC is essential for achieving credible polls and sustaining legitimacy in governance.
Prof. Amupitan highlighted the Commission’s technology-driven reforms as central to improving transparency and credibility in the electoral process. He reiterated that the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System has transformed accreditation by preventing over-voting and other forms of manual manipulation, while the INEC Result Viewing Portal has opened the process to real-time public scrutiny. However, he admitted that telecommunications limitations remain a challenge, particularly in uploading results from remote polling units. He assured the forum that INEC continues to work with the Nigerian Communications Commission and service providers to address these gaps, while exploring alternative technologies to strengthen system resilience.
The INEC Chairman also expressed concern over persistent low voter turnout, describing it as a fundamental threat to democratic legitimacy. He pointed to the Commission’s recent experience in Anambra State, where proactive extensions of Permanent Voter Card collection helped raise PVC distribution from 63.9 percent to 98.80 percent before the election. He said this success demonstrates what is achievable when civil society, community actors and the media intensify mobilisation efforts.
Prof. Amupitan announced that the Continuous Voter Registration exercise has recorded 2,685,725 completed registrations nationwide, comprising over 1.5 million online pre-registrations and more than 1.1 million physical captures. He commended states with strong participation, including Osun, Kano, Sokoto, Imo, Borno and Lagos. He urged civil society actors and the media to sustain the momentum as the exercise approaches its final phase.
Providing updates on upcoming elections, the INEC Chairman reaffirmed that the Area Council polls in the Federal Capital Territory will hold on February 21, 2026, as the tenure of the current chairmen and councillors expires next year. He noted that all essential information has been uploaded on the Commission’s website and expressed readiness for continued discussions on operational and security arrangements.
Turning to the issue of vote-buying, Prof. Amupitan stressed that technological reforms must be accompanied by political accountability. He said INEC has deepened collaboration with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, which now includes covert intelligence operations aimed at curbing inducement and protecting voters at polling units. He urged civil society organisations to intensify monitoring, civic education and advocacy to ensure all actors uphold the law.
The INEC Chairman reaffirmed that building consensus for credible elections is an ongoing process requiring innovation, transparency and resilience. He said the Commission plans to further strengthen its digital infrastructure, simplify voter-facing systems and deepen security collaboration to safeguard both voters and the integrity of the vote. He assured stakeholders that the future of Nigerian democracy is secure as long as the rule of law, transparency and the sanctity of the vote remain at the centre of electoral administration.
Prof. Amupitan closed with a reminder that, as Simon Sinek famously said, “Leadership is not about the next election; it’s about the next generation,” adding that INEC remains committed to building an election management process that is just, accountable and beyond reproach.
