Tasks before the new INEC chairman

The recent appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sparked renewed conversations about the future of Nigeria’s electoral process. Professor Amupitan, a seasoned legal scholar with an impressive record of service and no known political affiliations, appears to be a fitting choice for […]

The recent appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sparked renewed conversations about the future of Nigeria’s electoral process. Professor Amupitan, a seasoned legal scholar with an impressive record of service and no known political affiliations, appears to be a fitting choice for this crucial role. Yet, beyond his credentials lies the enormous task of restoring Nigerians’ confidence in the nation’s electoral system.

For years, citizens have called for a constitutional amendment to remove the power of appointing the INEC Chairman from the President. While that debate continues, all eyes are now on Professor Amupitan to prove through his actions that INEC under his leadership will ensure that every vote counts. Nigerians yearn for a credible system where electoral outcomes reflect the true will of the people.

One of his immediate priorities should be to engage the National Assembly to ensure that the ongoing Electoral Act Amendment Bill receives accelerated attention and passage. The bill contains crucial reforms that can strengthen the credibility and transparency of elections. Among these reforms, the mandatory electronic transmission of results in real time stands out as a key measure to prevent manipulation and restore public trust.

It has become increasingly clear that ward, local government, and state collation centres have often served as breeding grounds for electoral fraud. Past elections have shown how results are altered during the collation process. Therefore, INEC must embrace full technological deployment to eliminate these manual collation centres. By relying on real-time result transmission and collation via the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) directly from polling units, the commission can significantly reduce human interference and uphold the sanctity of the ballot.

Furthermore, the electoral body should champion legislation granting INEC the authority to disqualify candidates who present fake or forged certificates. This will help uphold the integrity of the political process and deter aspirants who attempt to deceive the system.

To further sanitize the voter register, the National Identity Number (NIN) should be integrated with the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and the BVAS. Making NIN mandatory will prevent double or multiple registrations, while also ensuring that citizens who attain the age of 18 are automatically added to the voters’ register.

In line with global democratic practices, Nigerians in the diaspora should be allowed to participate in elections, as well as those on essential duties, such as members of the security agencies, health workers, and journalists. Granting them the opportunity to vote, perhaps days before the general election, would expand inclusiveness and enhance voter participation.

Adopting comprehensive technological reforms will not only improve credibility but also drastically reduce the huge costs currently incurred on election logistics. Technology offers transparency, speed, and efficiency — the very qualities Nigeria’s electoral process desperately needs.

As Professor Amupitan assumes office, Nigerians extend their congratulations and high expectations. The task before him is enormous but not insurmountable. If he leads with integrity, courage, and innovation, he will indeed write his name in gold as the man who transformed Nigeria’s electoral landscape for the better.

 

Tochukwu Jimo Obi is a public affairs analyst and wrote via [email protected]