Amupitan: Unveiling the 2023 Election Glitches

The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has committed to a thorough ...

The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has committed to a thorough review of the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) portal. This pledge comes in response to the technical issues that plagued the system during the 2023 general elections, which eroded public trust in the electoral process.

During his confirmation hearing before the Senate, Amupitan emphasized that the audit would be instrumental in restoring faith in Nigeria's elections and improving the deployment of technology in future polls. He acknowledged the importance of the IReV and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in promoting transparency and integrity, aligning with global best practices.

Amupitan addressed the problems encountered in 2023, characterizing them as "glitches." He also referenced the Supreme Court's interpretation of the IReV's function.

• He clarified that, according to the Supreme Court, the IReV was not intended as an electronic collation system.
• Instead, it served as a verification tool, designed to ensure consistency between the manually collated results and those transmitted electronically.
• "The IReV was supposed to be a safeguard for comparison because the laws made by this distinguished Senate did not do away with manual collation. However, IReV was supposed to provide some guarantee for checks and balances," he elaborated.

The core of Amupitan's plan involves a comprehensive audit of the IReV system. This audit aims to pinpoint the underlying causes of the technical malfunctions experienced in 2023 and to assess the current technology's suitability for Nigeria's electoral demands.

"I have to audit the system, if I'm given the opportunity, to see what is actually wrong and whether we have what it takes as it is now," he stated. He also stressed the collaborative nature of ensuring reliable election technology. "Because it is not just the INEC responsibility, but also that of other agencies like NCC, NIMC, and service providers who must work together to deliver technology that Nigerians can trust."

Beyond technology, Amupitan highlighted the impact of delayed funding on INEC's operational effectiveness. He noted that despite legislation mandating the timely release of election funds, INEC often faces financial constraints due to late disbursements.

• "Although it has been legislated that funds should be released a year before elections, this often does not happen in time, leaving the institution financially constrained," he observed.

Amupitan also assured lawmakers of his commitment to a broader review of INEC's operations and constitutional framework. This review will seek to identify and address factors that may limit the commission's independence and efficiency.

"We will look at the spirit and letter of the Constitution, as well as the laws made by the National Assembly," he stated. "We will use our knowledge to ensure that INEC is independent. And we will have an audit to see what those limiting factors are and deal with them accordingly."

He further pledged to safeguard the commission's autonomy and work closely with the National Assembly to advance electoral reforms that will guarantee elections that are free, fair, and credible. His overarching goal is to strengthen the electoral process and ensure the integrity of future elections.

Professor Amupitan succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who left office as INEC Chairman on October 7, 2025.