New INEC Chairman Amupitan Plans Audit Of 2023 Election Logistics

Newly appointed INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, has announced plans to carry out a detailed audit of the Commission’s operations, with special focus on logistics during the 2023 general elections.

Amupitan revealed this on Thursday during his screening before the Senate Committee of the Whole. He said the review would help uncover the logistical challenges INEC faced and guide the development of workable solutions in partnership with relevant stakeholders.

During the session, Amupitan referred to a Supreme Court ruling which clarified that the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) was never part of the official results collation process. He noted that many Nigerians were unaware of this before the 2023 polls, which led to confusion about the platform’s role.

“A lot of people thought it was part of the collation system, but the Supreme Court said it is not,” he explained.

The new INEC boss also called for the establishment of an electoral offences commission to investigate and prosecute election-related crimes, stating that INEC currently lacks the capacity to handle such cases effectively.

Amupitan’s appointment was recently approved by the National Council of State following the end of Prof Mahmood Yakubu’s 10-year tenure. He hails from Kogi State and is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Reports earlier indicated that President Bola Tinubu had chosen Amupitan as Yakubu’s successor, noting his long-standing experience in law and governance as well as his past role as legal counsel to Senator Dino Melaye.

Amupitan is expected to lead efforts to strengthen transparency and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.