INEC to Audit Systems, Conduct Mock Poll for Transparency

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to conduct a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology systems and a mock presidential election. This initiative, announced by INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan during a visit from British High Commissioner Dr. Richard Montgomery, aims to address concerns regarding the commission's preparedness for future elections, particularly following the issues faced during the 2023 general elections.

The audit, although not initially included in the budget, is deemed essential for testing the reliability of technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). The 2023 elections faced significant criticism due to technical failures that undermined public confidence.

Since Amupitan's appointment, INEC has shown a commitment to improving electoral processes, as evidenced by successful off-cycle elections. The planned audit and mock poll are part of INEC's strategy to enhance transparency and restore voter trust, with global partnerships in cybersecurity being pursued to support these efforts.