Nigeria’s newly confirmed INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has promised a people-focused, technology-driven electoral system that leaves “no voter behind” — even vowing to deploy drones to reach the most remote communities.
Appearing before the Senate for his confirmation on Thursday, Amupitan outlined an ambitious plan to overhaul Nigeria’s electoral process, focusing on logistics reform, technological innovation, ethical oversight, and robust civic education.
“No voter will be left behind. We will invest in logistics and technology — and where necessary, deploy drones with adequate safeguards to ensure smooth elections across Nigeria,” he declared.
Amupitan stressed that chronic logistical failures, often due to reliance on external contractors, have undermined past elections. He proposed building an internal transport system for election materials and conducting a full audit of INEC’s technology and infrastructure to ensure reliability and security.
On the 2023 innovations — the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) — he admitted both fell short due to weak coordination and poor configuration.
“If confirmed, I will audit all systems to identify gaps and ensure the infrastructure is ready for future elections,” he said, emphasizing collaboration with the NCC and NITDA to guarantee network reliability.
Integrity and accountability will be central to his tenure. Amupitan unveiled plans for an Internal Ethics and Compliance Committee to monitor staff conduct, alongside forensic audits of results and finances.
“Elections are only as credible as the people who conduct them. Every kobo released to INEC will be accounted for,” he said.
Amupitan also promised to decentralize and digitize voter registration, expand civic education, and build capacity for staff, political parties, civil society, and citizens.
Responding to concerns about politically connected appointments and the role of university lecturers in elections, he pledged transparency and evidence-based decisions. On rising election costs, he called for rigorous audits, and on security agencies, he emphasized adherence to codes of conduct.
“Real-time transmission of results is possible with leadership will, proper infrastructure, and secure technology,” he said.
Following hours of scrutiny, the Senate unanimously confirmed Prof. Amupitan. Senate President Godswill Akpabio lauded his clarity and urged reforms in local government elections, which he described as the weakest link in Nigeria’s democracy.
Amupitan’s confirmation comes amid public skepticism about the credibility of Nigeria’s elections. His pledge — to anchor INEC on technology, ethics, transparency, and civic trust — has inspired cautious optimism.
“The people who work with me must understand they are here on trust. Nigerians deserve an electoral process they can believe in,” he concluded.
As Nigeria prepares for future elections, Amupitan’s vision of drones, discipline, and digital transformation may determine whether the country finally achieves an electoral system that counts every vote.
