INEC Chair Calls for Stronger Electoral Laws to Protect Nigeria’s Democracy in Digital Age
INEC Chair Calls for Stronger Electoral Laws to Protect Nigeria’s Democracy in Digital Age
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has urged lawmakers and stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework to better safeguard democratic processes in an era shaped by rapid technological change.
Speaking on Tuesday at the 47th Founders’ Day Lecture of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies at the University of Lagos, Amupitan stressed that advancements in technology have reshaped governance and election administration, creating both opportunities and vulnerabilities.
The lecture, themed “Civic Participation, Rule of Law and Accountable Governance in a Digital Era,” underscored the need for Nigeria’s electoral laws to evolve in order to address emerging challenges related to digital misinformation, cybersecurity threats, and the integrity of election data systems.
Amupitan noted that while technological tools can enhance transparency and efficiency in elections, they also expose electoral processes to manipulation if not backed by robust regulatory safeguards. He emphasised that a stronger legal framework is essential to protect the democratic will of citizens and maintain public confidence in electoral outcomes.
He called on legislators, civil society organisations, and legal experts to collaborate on legislative reforms that would modernise the country’s electoral laws and ensure they are responsive to the realities of the digital age. Such reforms, he said, would help safeguard Nigeria’s democracy against manipulation and abuse as the nation prepares for future elections.
Amupitan’s remarks reflect ongoing national conversations about electoral reform, transparency, and the rule of law — issues that are increasingly critical as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections and faces the challenges of safeguarding electoral integrity in a connected world.
