Can Nigerians Trust Technology in Elections Again?

By Innocent Jonah Kalu

The 2023 Nigerian general elections left many citizens disillusioned with the credibility of the electoral process, particularly due to the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload presidential results to the IREV portal as promised. This lapse in technological reliability led many to call for the cancellation of the election, a demand that INEC ultimately ignored.

As we edge closer to 2027, the lessons from the 2023 elections must not be ignored. If Nigeria is to build trust in its democratic processes, the government must address the systemic flaws that undermine electoral integrity. One fundamental issue is the appointment of the INEC Chairman—a power currently vested in the President, who, as the leader of a political party, has an inherent conflict of interest. To foster credibility, the appointment process must be reformed so that the selection of the INEC Chairman is based solely on the 3 Cs: Character, Competence, and Capacity.

The need for such reforms extends beyond INEC. At the state level, Governors currently wield the power to appoint chairpersons for the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs). This has resulted in questionable local elections where ruling parties often claim victory in nearly all available seats. The recent exceptions in Rivers and Abia states—where opposition parties secured wins due to internal party conflicts—only highlight the extent of political interference in state elections. If democracy is to be safeguarded at all levels, then Governors must also be stripped of this appointive power.

The year 2025 will present a critical opportunity, as the National Assembly is expected to amend the Electoral Act. This is the moment for Nigerians to demand real change. Lawmakers must be pressured into enacting reforms that ensure a truly independent electoral body and a transparent process that guarantees the will of the people.

Despite the failures of 2023, technology remains a powerful tool for electoral transparency. The successful electronic transmission of governorship, House of Representatives, and Senate results proves that digital systems can work when properly implemented. This is why the focus must be on strengthening these systems rather than discarding them altogether.

Ultimately, the question remains: Can Nigerians trust technology in elections again? The answer is not simple, nor is it immediate. Trust must be earned through deliberate actions—by government institutions, civil society, and the electorate itself. Nigerians must stay vigilant, engage with their representatives, and refuse to accept a flawed system. Only then can the nation move toward a future where elections are free, fair, and truly reflective of the people’s will.