The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, has emphasised the critical connection between credible elections and national security, urging stakeholders to collaborate in safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic processes.
Speaking at the 2nd Annual Lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS), Amupitan highlighted that elections and security are inseparable pillars of national stability. Quoting President John F. Kennedy, he said, “The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all,” underscoring the need for an informed electorate and robust security framework.
The INEC Chairman noted that credible elections foster public trust, which in turn strengthens national security. “When citizens believe in the electoral process, tensions that could lead to unrest are minimised,” he said, stressing the role of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in providing coordinated, proactive intelligence support for upcoming elections.
Amupitan also addressed the challenges posed by social media volatility, AI-driven disinformation, foreign information manipulation, and logistic deficits, warning that these threats intersect with physical security risks like insurgency and communal strife. He called on security agencies, civil society, and election officials to close the trust gap with precision and professionalism.
The Chairman reiterated INEC’s commitment to the 2027 General Election, noting that the Commission is already implementing rigorous measures, including Continuous Voter Registration, cleaning the National Register of Voters, and enforcing technological safeguards such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
Highlighting the importance of voter participation, Amupitan warned that apathy is a security risk, noting that turnout has declined from 53% in 2011 to 26% in 2023. He urged citizens to view voting as a foundational act in the preservation of national stability.
The INEC Chairman concluded by calling on the AANISS alumni to serve as strategic partners in strengthening election security, refining threat assessment models, and ensuring adherence to the rule of law. “An election is only as good as its logistics, and only as peaceful as its security,” he stressed, reaffirming the Commission’s determination to conduct free, fair, and credible elections that would enhance the legitimacy of elected leaders and promote Nigeria’s development.
