INEC voter register trust crisis deepens as Sam Amadi questions BVAS failures, transparency gaps, and electoral system credibility
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Sam Amadi, Abuja, Nigeria, on 5 June 2026, has raised concerns over the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s electoral systems, warning of an emerging INEC voter register trust crisis following repeated controversies around election technology and result transmission.
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Amadi made the remarks during an interview on News Central Television, where he criticised the reliability of INEC’s voter registration and electronic election infrastructure.
He argued that recurring failures in the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, known as BVAS, have further weakened public confidence in the electoral process and raised questions about transparency during elections.
According to him, concerns surrounding BVAS malfunctions and alleged internal sabotage have created a perception of systemic weakness within INEC’s election management framework.
Amadi stated that the absence of clear evidence during reported technical glitches undermines trust in assurances given by the electoral body during polls.
He further questioned the reliability of INEC’s voter register, insisting that public confidence in the database has been eroded by repeated operational inconsistencies.
The former regulator added that opposition parties may increasingly demand independent forensic audits of INEC’s systems to verify their integrity ahead of future elections.
Amadi referenced past elections where INEC had expressed readiness to transmit results electronically but later cited technical difficulties on election day, describing the explanations as insufficient and lacking transparency.
The comments have added to ongoing debates over electoral reforms and the credibility of Nigeria’s voting infrastructure ahead of future general elections.
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The INEC voter register trust crisis narrative continues to gain traction among political analysts and stakeholders calling for stronger accountability and system verification mechanisms.
