When President Bola Tinubu announced Prof. Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerians exhaled with cautious optimism.
The timing of his appointment, barely two years to another nationwide election, instantly placed the academic at the centre of a vital national test: restoring confidence in Nigeria’s battered electoral system.
As Prof. Amupitan assumes office after one of the most turbulent tenures in INEC’s history, his predecessor, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, presided over two general elections defined by technological promise and public disappointment.
The introduction of innovations like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal was meant to revolutionise transparency, yet Nigerians witnessed widespread glitches, delayed result uploads, and allegations of manipulation.
In the end, public trust, the most essential ingredient of democracy, was the greatest casualty.
Nigerians are not merely hopeful; they are watchful. Expectations are high, scrutiny will be relentless, and tolerance for excuses has evaporated.
The nation demands not just competent election management but reform infused with courage, humility, and integrity.
Rebuilding Trust Through Transparency and Communication
The first assignment before INEC’s new boss is moral, to rebuild trust. Voters must once again believe that their ballots matter.
Prof. Amupitan must prioritise open communication with citizens, political parties, and observers. Transparency in decision-making and real-time updates around logistics, technology, and funding will be critical.
Yakubu’s single greatest failing was communication. When BVAS collapsed in February 2023 and the IReV portal went dark, INEC hesitated, leaving an information void quickly filled by speculation and anger.
Amupitan must avoid such silence. In a digital age, delay equals deception. A steady stream of verified information, even in moments of crisis, will help reclaim credibility.
Strengthen Institutional Independence
The credibility of elections depends on how free INEC remains from executive interference. Nigerians expect Amupitan to demonstrate independence not just in theory but in choices, especially in appointing Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), managing internal promotions, and disclosing pressure from external actors if and when it arises.
He must fight the age-old perception that INEC is beholden to the government that appoints it. Every policy he frames and every directive he issues will be measured against that backdrop. Even the perception of partiality could undo the confidence he hopes to build.
Audit and Reform the Technology
INEC’s next election will rise or fall on how well its technology performs. Prof. Amupitan must commission a transparent audit of BVAS and IReV before any new election cycle begins. These systems were innovations, not miracles; they require testing, updating, and training.
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The electoral body must also improve cybersecurity and conduct frequent simulation exercises to identify weaknesses.
Moreover, election staff at all levels must be properly trained, adequately compensated, and protected from political coercion. Nigeria’s democracy cannot depend on ad hoc workers who learn the system on the day of voting.
Secure the Ballot, Protect the Voter
Beyond technology, Nigerians want safer elections. Under Yakubu, polling stations across the country witnessed ballot snatching, violent intimidation, and ethnic suppression.
Prof. Amupitan must partner more effectively with security agencies to ensure that elections are safe, and that voting in conflict-prone regions can proceed without fear.
Voter intimidation, physical, ethnic, digital, or otherwise, should trigger immediate and severe consequences.
The Commission must monitor social media rhetoric and ensure enforcement through collaboration with the police and judiciary.
Prioritise Post-Election Reform
INEC must start early preparations for 2027, not in 2026. Timely procurement, credible voter register updates, systematic voter education, and quick resolution of election petition reforms are fundamental. Lessons from the past should shape the future.
Amupitan should also leverage his academic depth to promote research-driven policymaking within INEC. Election data should be publicly available and easily verifiable, allowing citizens, journalists, and researchers to track progress objectively.
Restore Hope in the Power of the Vote
Ultimately, Prof. Amupitan must rediscover the moral heart of electoral democracy, the sanctity of the ordinary voter.
Nigerians have grown weary of elections that feel predetermined. His tenure must prove that credible elections are not utopian dreams but attainable realities.
To achieve that, he needs less bureaucracy and more conviction. He must lead by example, communicate often, and surround himself with reformers, not sycophants.
History has already recorded his appointment. What remains is whether Nigerians will remember his name as the man who rescued their faith in democracy or as another custodian of broken promises.
The job begins now.