The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has reiterated the commission’s commitment to promoting electoral justice across Nigeria, describing it as a key step toward reducing the high number of post-election litigations.
Amupitan made the pledge in an interview with journalists in Awka, Anambra State, where he emphasized that credible elections are the foundation of a stable democracy and that INEC must ensure that the will of the people is reflected in every poll it conducts.
He acknowledged that it remains the legitimate right of any candidate or political party to seek legal redress when dissatisfied with an election outcome, but stressed that the commission’s focus is to ensure that elections are so fair and transparent that few would find reason to challenge the results in court.
“It is within the right of candidates and political parties to go to court if they feel aggrieved.”
“However, our mission at INEC is to strengthen the integrity of the electoral process so that the results we declare can stand the test of justice and public scrutiny.”
The INEC chairman noted that “electoral justice” encompasses fairness, equity, and accountability at every stage of the electoral process—from voter registration and accreditation to voting, collation, and result announcement.
According to him, the commission is intensifying efforts to improve logistics, deploy reliable technology, and train personnel to enhance efficiency and transparency in future elections.
Amupitan further explained that reducing post-election litigations requires collaboration among all stakeholders, including political parties, security agencies, the judiciary, and civil society organizations.
“INEC alone cannot achieve electoral justice,” he said. “Every stakeholder must play by the rules. Political actors must show maturity, security agencies must be impartial, and the judiciary must uphold the truth without fear or favour.”
He assured Nigerians that the commission under his leadership would continue to prioritize reforms that promote transparency and public trust, adding that credible elections remain the most effective way to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
“Our goal is to make the electoral process so credible that going to court becomes the exception rather than the norm,” Amupitan concluded.
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