INEC Chairman Says Nigerians Should Not Expect a Perfect Election

By Babatunji Wusu

• Joash Amupitan stresses no election is completely flawless

• Credibility measured by logistics, peaceful conduct, and result management

• Electronic transmission of results clarified

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has stated that Nigerians should not expect a flawless electoral process, noting that no election anywhere in the world can be completely perfect.

Speaking on how electoral success should be assessed, Amupitan said credibility depends on logistics, peaceful conduct, and proper management of results. He highlighted that a key indicator of success is whether voting starts at the scheduled time of 8:30 a.m.

“A successful election is based on logistics,” he explained, acknowledging that the commission faced “some logistic issues and purely human issues” during the process, which are being addressed.

Amupitan also clarified that while INEC has the technical capacity for electronic transmission of results nationwide, real-time transmission should not be misunderstood as instantaneous. He concluded that while Nigerians desire credible elections, achieving 100 percent perfection is unrealistic.