DRLI Calls for Audit of INEC Technologies for 2027 Elections

The Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative (DRLI) has demanded an independent audit of Nigeria's electoral technologies in preparation for the 2027 general elections. This call was made during a panel session titled ‘The Ballot and the Byte: BVAS, Data Access, and the Unfinished Business of Electoral Accountability in Nigeria,’ held on September 1 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, with support from Luminate.

The panel, moderated by DRLI Co-Founder Solomon Okedara, included experts such as Godson Ogheneochuko, Timi Olagunju, Praise Adetula, Lanre Komolafe, and Safiya Bichi. They warned that inadequate oversight of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) technologies could erode public confidence in the electoral process.

The experts advocated for comprehensive scrutiny of electoral technology, extending beyond the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to include the entire technological infrastructure. Olagunju proposed a three-part assurance framework for public confidence, while Ogheneochuko stressed the need for robust data governance within INEC to protect sensitive voter information.