The nominated Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Amupitan, has proposed the deployment of drones to enhance monitoring and logistics during elections across Nigeria.
Amupitan made the disclosure on Thursday while responding to a question from Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, during his screening at the National Assembly.
Senator Kalu expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in parts of the country, asking how INEC planned to safeguard the transportation of sensitive election materials to polling units.
In response, Amupitan said ensuring security and transparency during elections would be a top priority under his leadership, noting that the commission would invest heavily in technology-driven logistics to improve efficiency and voter confidence.
“The issue of security is a major challenge, but at the same time, it can be tackled,” he said. “We can invest more in logistics to ensure that we penetrate every part of Nigeria — even if we have to use drones or other devices to make sure election materials get where they ought to.”
He added that INEC would work closely with the Joint Committee on Election Security to address vulnerabilities in areas prone to violence or disruption.
The proposal marks one of the most ambitious technological ideas for election monitoring in Nigeria’s history and could redefine how the commission oversees logistics, security, and real-time reporting of incidents nationwide.
Observers say if approved, the use of drones could help reduce ballot theft, enhance transparency, and improve early detection of irregularities during elections.
