The new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has announced plans to conduct a comprehensive audit of the commission, focusing on logistics deployed during the 2023 general elections.
Speaking during his screening by the Senate Committee of the Whole on Thursday, Amupitan, a Professor of Law, said the audit would identify operational challenges and help develop practical solutions in collaboration with stakeholders. He outlined a sweeping reform agenda that includes the creation of an internal ethics committee, the introduction of a whistleblower policy, strict enforcement of accountability, and the use of technology — including drones — to strengthen election logistics and security. Citing a Supreme Court ruling, Amupitan noted that INEC’s Results Viewing Portal (IReV) was not part of the official results collation system, adding that the commission failed to clearly communicate this to Nigerians ahead of the 2023 polls.
“If confirmed as INEC Chairman, trust and ethics will be the cornerstone of my leadership,” he said. “We will set up an ethics committee to review past actions and address all complaints. Every allegation will be pursued and concluded.” He further disclosed plans to collaborate with the National Assembly on establishing an Electoral Offences Commission to enable proper investigation and prosecution of election-related crimes, noting that INEC currently lacks the institutional capacity for such functions.
“We will also introduce a whistleblower policy to expose malpractices and strengthen accountability,” he added.
On election security, Amupitan pledged innovative measures to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised, even in hard-to-reach areas. “We will invest in logistics — even using drones if necessary — to make sure every voter is reached,” he said. He also emphasised the importance of voter and civic education, promising an aggressive enlightenment campaign to deepen democratic values. Addressing concerns over real-time result transmission, the INEC chief-designate said legislative clarification was needed to resolve existing ambiguities in the Electoral Act.
Amupitan assured that under his leadership, election timelines and procedures would be streamlined to enhance transparency and credibility.
“We will make sure elections are so credible that losers can congratulate winners without disputes,” he said, while also promising strict transparency in financial management and adherence to procurement laws to ensure proper use of public funds.
