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The Chairman-designate of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Amupitan, has proposed the deployment of drones to monitor elections and enhance logistics during electoral exercises across Nigeria.
He made the disclosure on Thursday while responding to a question from Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the lawmaker representing Abia North Senatorial District, during his screening session at the National Assembly.
Senator Kalu expressed concern over the growing insecurity in various parts of the country, particularly regarding the safe transportation of sensitive election materials to polling units.
In response, Dr. Amupitan assured lawmakers that he would prioritise security, transparency, and efficiency in the electoral process, adding that technology would play a central role in achieving these goals.
“The issue of security is a major challenge but at the same time, it can be tackled,” he said. “I know there is a joint committee on election security, and one of the things we have to do is to work with that committee to see how we can handle security issues in some challenging areas.”
Dr. Amupitan further explained that INEC under his leadership would invest more in logistics and technological innovations, including the use of drones to monitor movement and ensure the safe delivery of materials across difficult terrains.
“We can also invest more on logistics to ensure that we can penetrate every part of Nigeria, even if we have to use drones or whatever means necessary to make sure materials get to where they ought to,” he stated.
His proposal has been welcomed by several election observers and analysts who believe that the use of drone technology could enhance transparency and real-time surveillance during elections, particularly in volatile or remote regions.
The introduction of drones for election monitoring, if approved, would mark a significant step in the digital transformation of Nigeria’s electoral process, aligning with global best practices in election management.
The Senate is expected to conclude the screening and confirmation process for Dr. Amupitan as substantive INEC Chairman in the coming days.
