The evolution of technology in Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, (Nigerian Electoral Umpire) from its inception to date. How technology has changed the electoral process in Nigeria, the challenges faced by INEC in adopting new technologies, and the future of technology in the Nigerian electoral process.
Nowadays, most electoral management bodies (EMBs) around the world use new technologies with the aim of improving the electoral process. These technologies range from the use of basic office automation tools such as word processing and spreadsheets to more sophisticated data processing tools, such as database management systems, optical scanning and geographic information systems. An election is a complex, multi-faceted event happening on a given date and subject to precise laws and regulations.
In Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the official body responsible for organizing and conducting elections. Since its establishment in 1998, INEC has undergone various technological transformations in the conduct of its activities. INEC was laid down by the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 and launched on April 17, 1998. The commission is responsible for organizing and carrying out all federal and state elections, including presidential, governorship, senatorial, and local government elections. INEC is also accountable for registering political parties and monitoring their endeavour.
Technology Development at INEC
The evolution of technology in INEC can be categorized into three phases. The first phase covers the period from 1999 to 2006, the second phase covers the period from 2007 to 2015, and the third phase covers the period from 2015 to date.
- Phase One: 1999-2006
The first phase of technology evolution in INEC was characterized by manual processes. INEC used manual processes for voter registration, collation of results, and announcement of election results. The voter registration process involved filling a paper form manually, and the data was stored in a register. The collation of results was also done manually by adding up the results from different polling units. The announcement of election results was done manually by displaying the results on a board for everyone to see.
- Phase Two: 2007-2015
The second phase of technology evolution in INEC was characterized by the introduction of electronic technology. INEC introduced the use of smart card readers and electronic voting machines. The smart card reader was used to authenticate the voter’s identity and prevent multiple voting. The electronic voting machine was used to cast and count votes electronically.
The introduction of electronic technology in INEC was not without challenges. The use of smart card readers and electronic voting machines was met with skepticism and resistance from political parties, civil society organizations, and some members of the public. There were also technical challenges in the use of electronic technology, such as poor network coverage, power outage, and malfunctioning of electronic devices.
- Phase Three: 2015-date
The third phase of technology evolution in INEC is characterized by the use of more advanced electronic technology. INEC introduced the use of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and the Card Reader in the 2015 general elections. The PVC is a smart card that contains the voter’s biometric data and personal information. The Card Reader is used to read the data on the PVC and authenticate the voter’s identity.
The use of the PVC and Card Reader has helped to improve the credibility of the electoral process in Nigeria. The use of biometric data has reduced the incidence of multiple voting and other forms of electoral fraud. The Card Reader has also helped to reduce the incidence of manual accreditation, which was often characterized by long queues and delays.
INEC’s Challenges with Evolving Technology
The adoption of technology in INEC has not been without challenges. One of the major challenges is the high cost of acquiring and maintaining electronic devices. The cost of acquiring and maintaining electronic devices is often beyond the reach of INEC, which has a limited budget. The cost of acquiring and maintaining electronic devices is also subject to inflation and currency fluctuations.
Another challenge of technology adoption in INEC is the resistance from political parties, civil society organizations, and some members of the public. Some political parties and civil society organizations have criticized the use of electronic technology, alleging that it is prone to manipulation and hacking. Some members of the public have also expressed concern about the security of electronic devices, particularly the Card Reader and the electronic voting machines. There have been instances where electronic devices have malfunctioned, resulting in delays and disruption of the electoral process.
While the logistics could still be improved but some of the glitches we saw in the 2023 elections cannot be attributed to technology. They were operational issues. Some of the biometric machines malfunctioned or electoral officials didn’t know how to use them (The Conversation, 2023).
On the other hand, the use of electronic technology in INEC has highlighted the issue of digital divide in Nigeria. Not all areas in Nigeria have access to reliable network coverage, electricity, or internet connectivity. This has made it difficult for INEC to deploy electronic devices in some areas, particularly rural areas.
In addition to these challenges, INEC also faces the challenge of managing and securing voter data. The use of biometric data in the PVC and Card Reader has raised concerns about the privacy and security of voter data. INEC must ensure that voter data is stored securely and protected from unauthorized access.
Technology’s Role in Nigeria’s Future Elections
As the use of technology in INEC is expected to continue to evolve in the future. INEC has expressed its commitment to leveraging technology to improve the electoral process in Nigeria. Some of the areas where technology is expected to have a significant impact include voter registration, voting, and result collation. One of the technologies that INEC is exploring is the use of blockchain technology for voter registration and result collation.
Blockchain technology has the potential to enhance the security and transparency of the electoral process by providing a tamper-proof record of transactions. INEC is also exploring the use of biometric technology, such as facial recognition, to improve the accuracy and efficiency of voter registration and authentication.
Evaluation of Current and Prospect INEC Adopted Technology
In recent years, INEC has introduced several new technologies to the electoral process in Nigeria. These technologies have had both positive and negative effects on the electoral process. In this section, we will examine some of the latest technology introductions by INEC and their effects and fallbacks.
- Smart Card Reader (SCR)
The Smart Card Reader (SCR) is a device introduced by INEC in the 2015 general elections.
The SCR is used to authenticate voters by reading the biometric data on their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). The introduction of the SCR has helped to reduce the incidence of multiple voting and other forms of electoral fraud in Nigeria. The SCR has also helped to speed up the accreditation process on election day.
However, the use of the SCR has also had some fallbacks. In some cases, the SCR has malfunctioned, causing delays and disruptions in the electoral process. The SCR also requires a reliable power source, which can be a challenge in some areas of Nigeria where there is a shortage of electricity.
- Z-Pad
The Z-Pad is a tablet device introduced by INEC for the 2019 general elections. The Z-Pad is used for the real-time transmission of election results from polling units to the collation center. The introduction of the Z-Pad has helped to speed up the collation process and reduce the incidence of manual manipulation of election results.
Unfortunately, the use of the Z-Pad has also had some fallbacks. In some cases, the Z-Pad has malfunctioned, causing delays in the transmission of results. The Z-Pad also requires a reliable internet connection, which can be a challenge in some areas of Nigeria where there is poor internet connectivity.
- Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS)
The deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) with its dual fingerprint and facial biometric accreditation process has ensured that only genuine voters are accredited to vote during election, according to the INEC chair, Mahmood Yakubu.
“This has curtailed the incidence of multiple voting and other sharp practices associated with voter accreditation during elections,” he said while delivering the keynote at the sixth annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lagos (Premium Times, 2023).
“The BVAS has come to stay and will be the only means by which voters will be accredited in the 2023 General Election.”
He added that the introduction of the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal has made the result management procedure more transparent and polling unit results will be uploaded to the portal in real-time in the 2023 General Election.
The BVAS is a technology introduced by INEC for the 2019 general elections. The BVAS is a handheld device used to capture the biometric data of voters during the accreditation process. The introduction of the BVAS has had a significant impact on the electoral process in Nigeria, particularly in reducing the incidence of multiple voting and other forms of electoral fraud.
The tech tool was first used in the governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states in 2018. In the Osun state election, the use of the BVAS helped to reduce the incidence of multiple voting and other forms of electoral fraud. However, the Ekiti state election was marred by allegations of vote buying and other forms of electoral malpractice, which raised concerns about the effectiveness of the BVAS in preventing electoral fraud.
At the 2019 general elections, the use of the BVAS was extended to all polling units across Nigeria. The BVAS helped to speed up the accreditation process and reduce the incidence of multiple voting and other forms of electoral fraud. The use of the BVAS also helped to increase the transparency and credibility of the electoral process.
An independent, not-for-profit organisation that combats injustice, holds power to account and speaks for the voiceless, Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), indicated that with the latest introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the cost of conducting elections in Nigeria has risen by 61.7 percent (FIJ, 2023). Nigeria, since her return to democratic rule in 1999, has been the country with the most expensive elections in Africa, says Election Network, a platform that monitors elections.
Notwithstanding, the use of the BVAS also had some drawbacks. In some cases, the BVAS malfunctioned, causing delays and disruptions in the accreditation process. The BVAS also requires a reliable power source, which can be a challenge in some areas of Nigeria where there is a shortage of electricity.
With these drawbacks, the BVAS has proven to be a valuable tool in the fight against electoral fraud in Nigeria. The use of the BVAS has helped to improve the credibility, transparency, and efficiency of the electoral process. The BVAS has also helped to increase the confidence of Nigerians in the electoral process.
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- INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal
The INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) is a platform created by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria to provide real-time transmission of election results from polling units to the central collation centre. It was designed to enhance the transparency of the electoral process and reduce the incidence of vote rigging and election manipulation.
The IReV platform allows voters and other interested parties to monitor the electoral process and view the results of ongoing elections in real-time. The portal provides pictures of the election results from each polling unit, including the number of votes cast for each candidate and the percentage of total votes cast (Tech Cabal, 2023).
After the 2023 presidential and legislative elections, INEC had received backlash from political parties, observers, individuals and various interest groups for failing to upload polling unit results to the portal prior to the collation. Some political parties and individuals had relied on the glitch to demand the cancellation of the results.
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD, a civic group, said the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which was designed to provide real-time transmission of election results (Form EC 80A) from polling units to the central collation centre in an attempt to enhance the transparency of the electoral process and reduce the incidence of vote rigging and election manipulation. Up till midnight on election day, there were no results uploaded to the platform for the presidential results.
However, according to Zainab Suleiman Okino, Editorial Board chair of Blueprint Newspaper and a syndicated columnist, “with improved technology, as allowed by the 2022 Electoral Act, came the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which have made rigging nearly impossible, on paper, so far with the exception of some governorship elections, even though the presidential election is hugely different from governorship elections.” In the past, massive rigging was perpetuated by politicians who used all means — fair and foul — to help themselves to power. Those so elected are still in power lording it over us, but in the course of time and with improved technology, the bad eggs masquerading as leaders will be weeded out. I’m that optimistic. Already there are indications that it is no longer business as usual. The days of writing results in private residences or election results changing enroute collation centres are over (Premium Times, 2023).
- INEC Voter Enrollment Device (IVED)
The INEC Voter Enrollment Device (IVED) is a handheld device used for voter registration and authentication. The IVED was introduced by INEC in 2020 as part of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. The introduction of the IVED has helped to speed up the voter registration process and reduce the incidence of multiple registration and other forms of electoral fraud.
Moreover, the use of the IVED has also had some fallbacks. In some cases, the IVED has malfunctioned, causing delays and disruptions in the voter registration process. The IVED also requires a reliable power source, which can be a challenge in some areas of Nigeria where there is a shortage of electricity.
- Blockchain Technology
INEC has recently announced plans to explore the use of blockchain technology for voter registration and result collation. Blockchain technology is a decentralized and secure digital ledger that can be used to store and share information securely. The use of blockchain technology in the electoral process would help to improve the security and integrity of voter data and result collation.
The adoption of blockchain technology, however, also has some challenges. The use of blockchain technology requires a reliable and secure internet connection, which can be a challenge in some areas of Nigeria where there is poor internet connectivity. The adoption of blockchain technology would also require significant investment in infrastructure and training.
Future Outlook
The use of technology in INEC has had a significant impact on the electoral process in Nigeria. The adoption of electronic technology has helped to enhance the credibility and transparency of the electoral process, reduce human error, and increase the speed of the electoral process.
For transparency during the collation of results, INEC must be prepared to consistently provide evidence of the verification of the results transmission system. They must also intensify the availability of credible information for party agents, citizens and other stakeholders, to familiarize them with the transmission process for results. This is especially important for places with insufficient or compromised internet coverage. This will increase public confidence ahead of the elections and ensure broad understanding of the technology being deployed. It will also enlist widespread support for electoral vigilance at the polls including the ways electronic data can become a matter for evidence in contesting election results (Chatham House, 2023). The electoral commission must follow the electoral law strictly, especially on the transmission of results in real time. This will enhance the credibility of our elections. The results must also be machine readable, with a clear image, and must be generated from the polling units (The Conversation, 2023).
However, the use of technology in INEC has not been without challenges. The cost of acquiring and maintaining electronic devices, concerns about the security and integrity of electronic devices, the issue of digital divide in Nigeria, and the challenge of managing and securing voter data are some of the challenges encountered in the adoption of technology in INEC.
Despite these challenges, the future of technology in INEC is promising. INEC is committed to leveraging technology to improve the electoral process in Nigeria. The use of block chain technology for voter registration and result collation, the use of biometric technology for voter registration and authentication, the exploration of electronic voting and mobile voting for diaspora voting are some of the technologies that INEC is exploring. The adoption of these technologies would require addressing the concerns about the security and integrity of electronic devices, the issue of digital divide in Nigeria, and the challenge of managing and securing voter data.
Consequently, the use of technology in INEC has brought about significant improvements in the electoral process in Nigeria. The adoption of technology has helped to enhance the credibility and transparency of the electoral process and has the potential to increase the speed and efficiency of the electoral process. However, the adoption of technology must be done in a way that addresses the concerns about the security and integrity of electronic devices, the issue of digital divide in Nigeria, and the challenge of managing and securing voter data. With proper planning, implementation, and management, the use of technology in INEC has the potential to revolutionize the electoral process in Nigeria.
For Further Reading:
Afolabi, O. (2019). The Role of Technology in Enhancing Electoral Integrity in Nigeria. Journal of Information Technology and Economic Development, 10(1), 1-15.
Chatham House (2023).”Tech alone won’t improve trust in Nigeria’s elections”. Retrieved from
Foundation for Investigative Journalism, FIJ, (2023).From N1.5b to N305b. How Cost of Nigerian Elections Rose in 24 Years. Retrieved from
Independent National Electoral Commission. (2021). About INEC. Retrieved from
Irobi, E. G., & Agbadua, J. O. (2019). An Analysis of the Role of Information and Communication Technology in Nigerian Elections. Journal of Emerging Trends in Computing and Information Sciences, 10(5), 347-354.
Tech Cabal (2023). “How to use INEC Election Result Viewer (IReV) to check Nigeria’s election results.” Retrieved from
The Conversation (2023). “Nigeria’s election was nearly derailed by technology – but biometric devices weren’t the problem”. Retrieved from
The Electoral Knowledge Network. “Elections and Technology”. Retrieved from
Oduwole, A. A., & Amole, B. O. (2019). Electronic Voting Machine: A Panacea to Credible Elections in Nigeria. Journal of Computer Science and Information Technology, 7(2), 54-59.
Premium Times (2023). “Key issues that defined Nigeria’s presidential, NASS elections – CDD.” Retrieved from
Premium Times (2023).”2023 election: Polical desperation at its worst?, By Zainab Suleiman Okino”. Retrieved from
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