The new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, has vowed to audit INEC’s operations, focusing on logistics from the 2023 general elections.
He said the audit would reveal challenges and produce practical reforms through collaboration with key stakeholders.
During his Senate screening, the law professor outlined a reform plan that includes creating an internal ethics committee, introducing a whistleblower policy, enforcing accountability, and using technology such as drones to improve election logistics and security.
Furthermore, Amupitan cited a Supreme Court ruling that clarified that INEC’s Results Viewing Portal was never part of the official collation system. He noted that poor communication about the system confused the 2023 elections.
He promised that his leadership would prioritise trust and ethical conduct. “Trust is a major concern. We will create internal systems to ensure transparency in human behaviour,” he said.
Amupitan also added that INEC under his leadership would act on complaints that past administrations ignored. “We will set up an ethics committee to review past events. Every complaint will receive attention,” he assured.
He also announced plans to work with the National Assembly to create an Electoral Offences Commission that will investigate and prosecute electoral crimes. He said INEC currently lacks the institutional capacity for proper investigations and plans to implement a whistleblower policy to expose wrongdoing.
The INEC boss pledged to strengthen election security and logistics, ensuring that every eligible voter participates. “Security is crucial. We will collaborate with security agencies and invest in logistics, even using drones if needed. No voter will be left behind,” he stated.
Amupitan emphasised the importance of voter education and civic awareness. “We will expand voter and civic education to encourage participation and build capacity among election stakeholders,” he said.
On the issue of real-time result transmission, Amupitan further noted that the law requires clarification. “The Electoral Act still needs refinement. I will recommend amendments to promote clarity and transparency,” he added.
He also promised to streamline election timelines, reduce ambiguity, and improve credibility. “We aim to make elections transparent so that losers can congratulate winners without conflict,” he said.
Amupitan concluded by assuring Nigerians that his administration would uphold transparency in financial management. “We will enforce procurement and public fund laws strictly. Every naira will serve its intended purpose,” he said.
