The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated its commitment to deepening electoral transparency and efficiency through the deployment of digital tools. This was the highlight of a one-day stakeholders’ retreat held in Lagos, where the Commission showcased a range of technological innovations designed to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process.
The retreat brought together election managers, civil society actors, technology experts, and representatives of security agencies to assess the role of digital transformation in future elections. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, represented by a senior official, stated that the Commission was determined to leverage technology to address key challenges identified in past electoral cycles, including logistical delays, misinformation, and manual bottlenecks.
Among the tools demonstrated were the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), an enhanced results viewing portal (IReV), and digital monitoring platforms aimed at improving real-time communication, result transmission, and voter verification. The Commission also emphasized the importance of cybersecurity and data protection, noting that technical safeguards are being strengthened to uphold the credibility of the electoral process.
Participants at the retreat commended INEC’s proactive stance, noting that integrating technology into Nigeria’s electoral framework was no longer optional but necessary to meet rising public expectations for free, fair, and credible elections. They also called on the National Assembly to accelerate the review and passage of relevant amendments to the Electoral Act to support the legal adoption of these innovations.
INEC noted that pilot implementations of the new digital tools will be carried out in forthcoming off-cycle elections before a full nationwide rollout. The Commission affirmed its readiness to engage with all stakeholders to ensure broad-based trust, transparency, and inclusion as Nigeria continues its journey toward a more resilient electoral system.
