Citizen Monitors has raised alarm over the sudden removal of all election results from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal, including those from the recent 2024 Ondo and Edo elections. In a strongly worded press release, the organisation said the unexpected deletion of the results raises “significant concerns regarding data management, transparency, and the integrity of the electoral process.”
The group is demanding that INEC clarify whether a formal data retention policy exists for election results, what its terms are, and whether it was ever communicated to the public. Citizen Monitors also questioned if the removal was due to technical failure, expired hosting agreements, or other systemic lapses. They asked if records were archived and, if so, how Nigerians could access them.
According to the statement signed by Olajumoke Alawode-James, spokesperson and head of communications, the absence of historical election results not only erodes public confidence but also hampers access to critical information by citizens, stakeholders, and international observers. She stressed that with future elections, including the Anambra gubernatorial race in November 2025, INEC must show its commitment to accountability and data transparency.
Citizen Monitors urged INEC to immediately provide a clear and public explanation for the data removal, warning that continued opacity could damage trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
