Credible elections require collective commitment — INEC chairman

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, has said credible elections can only be achieved through the collective commitment of political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and citizens.

He warned that electoral violence, vote-buying, misinformation and other forms of malpractice continue to pose serious threats to Nigeria’s democratic process.

Amupitan stated this on Monday at the public presentation of the book, Winning Free and Fair Elections in Nigeria, held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Osogbo, Osun.

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He described free and fair elections as the cornerstone of democratic governance, noting that they guarantee the people’s right to choose their leaders while promoting accountability, legitimacy and the peaceful transfer of power.

The INEC chairman said the commission had introduced several reforms to strengthen the electoral process, including the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), improved result management, enhanced logistics, voter education and increased stakeholder engagement.

However, he stressed that technology alone cannot guarantee credible elections.

“Technology alone cannot guarantee credible elections without integrity, professionalism, respect for the rule of law and responsible political leadership,” he said.

Amupitan also expressed concern over the growing commercialisation of elections, identifying vote-buying, voter inducement, abuse of incumbency, political violence and hate speech as major challenges confronting Nigeria’s democracy.

He called for stronger enforcement of electoral laws and sustained civic education to address the challenges.

The INEC chairman urged political parties to strengthen internal democracy and comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, while encouraging Nigerians, particularly young people, to participate peacefully in elections, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), reject electoral malpractice and hold elected leaders accountable.

He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to improving election administration ahead of the forthcoming Osun State governorship election and the 2027 general elections.

Speaking as chairman of the occasion, the Father of the Day, Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, described the publication as a timely intellectual contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development.

He commended the authors—Dr. Jimoh Akanni Agboola, Dr. Smollete Adetoyese Shittu Alamu and Pastor Emmanuel Olufemi Agboola—for drawing on their experience to address issues surrounding free, fair and credible elections.

According to Oyedokun, the book reinforces the principle that elections should be won through legitimate democratic processes rather than violence, intimidation, manipulation or desperation.

He urged political actors to promote an electoral culture based on ideas, competence, character and service to the people instead of engaging in unlawful practices capable of undermining democracy.

Oyedokun also praised the publishers, Jimlad Training Services Limited, for supporting the project, expressing confidence that the publication would serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, political parties, election stakeholders, researchers, students and other Nigerians committed to strengthening the country’s democratic system.

He challenged readers to go beyond studying the book by implementing its recommendations to improve Nigeria’s electoral process.