New INEC Boss Proposes Drones to Tackle Election Security, Logistics Challenges

The nominated Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, has unveiled a plan to leverage modern technology, including the use of drones, to significantly improve election logistics and security across the country.

Dependable NG reports that Amupitan made the proposal on Thursday during his screening before the Senate. The discussion was prompted by a question from Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), who expressed deep concern about the worsening security situation in Nigeria and its potential impact on the safe transportation of sensitive election materials to polling units.

In his comprehensive response, the INEC nominee provided assurances of a strategic shift towards enhancing the electoral body’s logistical capabilities. He emphasized that the challenge of insecurity, while major, is “tacklable” through targeted investments and coordination.

“The issue of security is a major challenge but at the same time, it can be tackled,” Amupitan stated. “I know there is a joint committee on election security, one of the things we have to do is to work with that committee to see how we can handle security issues in some challenge areas.”

He further elaborated on the commission’s future investment in logistics: “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 to ensure that material gets to where it ought to.” This push for technological solutions, such as drones for monitoring movement and delivery, signals a move towards creating a more secure and reliable logistics framework for conducting elections under difficult security conditions.