Jega Warns Against Hasty E-Voting Adoption, Urges Robust Infrastructure for Nigeria’s Elections

 Former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega cautioned against the rushed adoption of electronic voting (e-voting) technology in Nigeria during a June 10, 2025, lecture at Bayero University, Kano, organized by the Nigerian Political Science Association.

Speaking on “Electoral Integrity and Technological Innovations,” Jega, whose tenure introduced biometric voter accreditation in 2011, emphasized that Nigeria’s weak digital infrastructure and cybersecurity vulnerabilities could undermine electoral credibility if e-voting is implemented without thorough preparation. The warning, ahead of the 2027 general elections, underscores ongoing debates about modernizing Nigeria’s electoral system amid public distrust.

Jega highlighted the 2023 election’s BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) glitches, which delayed results in states like Rivers and Lagos, noting that full e-voting requires reliable internet, electricity, and anti-hacking measures, currently limited in rural areas where 60% of voters reside. He cited Kenya’s 2017 e-voting annulment by its Supreme Court due to irregularities, urging Nigeria to prioritize voter education and phased technology integration. “Technology is no magic wand,” Jega said, advocating for hybrid systems combining manual and electronic processes to ensure transparency. He praised INEC’s IReV portal but stressed maintenance costs, estimated at ₦50 billion annually, as a barrier.

Stakeholders reacted variably. INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, attending the lecture, pledged infrastructure upgrades, targeting 5G coverage by 2026, per NCC plans. PDP’s Debo Ologunagba demanded full e-voting to curb rigging, while APC’s Felix Morka cautioned against over-reliance on foreign tech, citing national security. Civil society groups like Yiaga Africa, represented by Ezenwa Nwagwu, supported Jega, urging pilot testing in off-cycle elections like Anambra’s 2025 governorship. Kano voters like trader Musa Bello expressed skepticism, recalling 2023’s result upload failures. Jega’s call, reported by Vanguard, aligns with Nigeria’s push for electoral reform, as NASS debates the Electoral Act 2022 amendments, balancing innovation with reliability.