INEC election results removal from the official portal raises concerns over transparency, data policy and trust in Nigeria’s electoral system, says civil group
The INEC election results removal from the official Independent National Electoral Commission portal has sparked alarm among civil society stakeholders across Nigeria.
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Citizen Monitors, a civic organisation focused on democratic accountability, raised the alarm in a statement on Monday, condemning the unexplained deletion of key election results, including data from the 2024 Ondo and Edo polls.
According to the group’s spokesperson, Olajumoke Alawode-James, the INEC election results removal poses a direct threat to transparency and undermines public trust in the country’s electoral infrastructure.
“The removal of election results from the INEC portal raises critical questions that must be addressed to ensure public trust in the electoral system,” she said.
The group questioned whether INEC has an established data retention policy for storing results and whether such a policy had been publicly disclosed.
They also demanded to know if the data removal was the result of a technical glitch or if it stemmed from expired hosting agreements.
“There is no justification for deleting election results without explanation,” the group stated.
“This action threatens the accessibility of vital electoral data to citizens, stakeholders, and international observers.”
Citizen Monitors asked whether the commission had archived the data and if so, how Nigerians could access it.
They stressed that the INEC election results removal could hinder future research, media reporting, legal processes, and general civic engagement.
The group also raised concerns about Nigeria’s preparedness for upcoming elections, particularly the Anambra governorship election slated for November 2025.
They called on INEC to provide immediate clarification and to restate its commitment to transparency, noting that timely communication was essential for maintaining democratic legitimacy.
“Transparency is not optional; it is a core obligation of any democratic institution,” Alawode-James said.
“Without open access to electoral data, confidence in the democratic process will continue to erode.”
The civil society group urged INEC to publicly explain the reason behind the INEC election results removal, provide a timeline for restoring access, and outline its long-term data management strategy.
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As Nigeria moves toward another pivotal electoral season, public institutions like INEC are under increasing pressure to uphold principles of accountability, digital transparency, and equal access to electoral information.
