The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has urged the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), to prioritise restoring public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system through integrity, transparency, and fairness.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the civil society organisation described Prof. Amupitan’s appointment as timely, coming at a period when Nigerians are demanding genuine reforms and justice in the nation’s democratic process.
HEDA noted that the new INEC leadership must move beyond routine electoral administration to rebuild public confidence, reinforce institutional independence, and ensure that every vote counts.
“The expectations of Nigerians are very high,” Suraju said. “The new INEC Chairman must move swiftly to address the weaknesses observed in past elections, particularly issues around result transmission, logistics, and voter suppression.”
While acknowledging that the immediate past INEC administration under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu recorded some achievements, HEDA said persistent lapses undermined citizens’ confidence in the commission’s ability to deliver credible elections.
“The task before Prof. Amupitan is clear — to conduct free, fair, and credible elections that truly reflect the will of the people. Anything short of that will deepen the trust deficit in Nigeria’s democratic institutions,” the statement added.
HEDA noted that the forthcoming November 8 Anambra governorship election as an early test of competence and integrity for the new INEC boss, stressing that how the commission manages the poll would indicate whether a new era of electoral credibility is emerging.
Reaffirming its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, HEDA pledged continued collaboration with INEC and other stakeholders to advance reforms and ensure transparent elections.
“The civil society space will remain open for constructive engagement and dialogue to chart a sustainable path for the electoral umpire in discharging its duties effectively,” Suraju noted, urging the new leadership to embrace stakeholder collaboration, leverage technology, and maintain strict neutrality.