The Senate on Thursday confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following his screening by the upper legislative chamber.
The newly confirmed electoral chief used his appearance before lawmakers to outline an ambitious vision for safeguarding Nigeria’s electoral process, pledging to maintain the commission’s independence while deploying cutting-edge technology to address persistent security challenges.
During the screening session, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia North raised concerns about the country’s deteriorating security situation and questioned how INEC would ensure the safe transportation of election materials to polling units nationwide under Amupitan’s leadership.
Responding to the security concerns, Amupitan acknowledged the gravity of the threat but expressed confidence in finding practical solutions. “The issue of security is a major challenge but at the same time, it can be tackled,” he told the senators.
The professor outlined a multi-pronged approach to addressing electoral security, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships and enhanced logistics. He indicated that INEC would work more closely with existing security frameworks designed to protect the electoral process.
“I know there is a joint committee on election security. One of the things we have to do is to work with that committee to see how we can handle security issues in some challenge areas,” Amupitan stated, signaling his intention to strengthen coordination with security agencies.
In what represents a potentially groundbreaking shift in electoral operations, Amupitan proposed leveraging modern surveillance technology to monitor elections and protect sensitive materials. He suggested deploying drones and other advanced devices to enhance real-time monitoring capabilities and ensure the timely delivery of electoral materials, particularly in volatile regions.
The confirmation comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s electoral system, which has faced mounting challenges including violence, logistics failures, and concerns about the integrity of results transmission. Amupitan’s emphasis on technological innovation and security partnerships suggests a departure from traditional approaches to managing these challenges.
Throughout his screening, the new INEC chairman emphasized his commitment to ensuring the commission’s independence, a principle that has been central to debates about electoral credibility in Nigeria. His confirmation by the Senate paves the way for him to assume leadership of the body responsible for conducting all elections in Africa’s most populous democracy.
Amupitan takes over the helm of INEC as the nation prepares for upcoming gubernatorial elections in several states and ultimately the 2027 general elections, with stakeholders across the political spectrum watching closely to see how his proposed reforms will be implemented.
