INEC Embraces Tech For Transparency Ahead Of Anambra South Bye-Election
As preparations gear up for the Anambra South Senatorial District bye-election, scheduled for 16th August, 2025 Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has restated its commitment to openness, accountability, and the use of technology to safeguard the integrity of the process.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, confirmed that 17 political parties have conducted primaries for the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
He noted that the final list of candidates has already been published on the Commission’s website for public access describing it as another step towards full transparency.
According to Professor Yakubu, there was no room for human interference in the candidate submission process, thanks to technological upgrades.
He explained that automated timestamps now track every action on the portal, ensuring strict adherence to timelines and fairness.
“Even when political parties attempt to bypass the system, every action is logged with a timestamp,” INEC stated. “This helps protect the system’s credibility and maintains public trust.”
He disclosed that to tackle previous loopholes where candidates who didn’t win primaries were later smuggled onto the ballot INEC’s IT team has introduced real-time synchronisation.
This innovation ensures that only names of candidates officially elected at party primaries can be submitted, effectively eliminating backdoor substitutions.
With the campaign window now officially open, INEC is urging political parties to begin outreach in earnest rather than leaving it until the last minute.
The Commission also acknowledged a relatively improved security situation in Anambra compared to past elections, while still noting pockets of insecurity that require close attention.
However, a new concern looms. INEC expressed alarm over the growing monetisation of the electoral process, particularly the exorbitant financial demands placed on party delegates many of whom are not even candidates.
The Commission promised to engage political parties in frank discussions to address this worrying trend.
The INEC boss called on all stakeholders especially political parties and security agencies to commit to ensuring a peaceful, credible, and transparent election.
