Technology, Cyber Security and the 2023 Elections in Nigeria: Prospects, Challenges and Opportunities

Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2022 legitimises the use of technology in different aspects of the electoral process. The steady increase in technology adoption in the electoral process continued in 2023, after successful pilots in the Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun state elections. This article investigates how technology has been deployed to conduct elections in Nigeria, comparing it to other jurisdictions, notably Estonia. This study adopts a qualitative case study approach, synthesising expert views and reviews from the available literature, official documents, and press releases to produce emergent themes. The article considers the emerging legal, regulatory, and technical concerns from both a scholarly and industry perspective. The article also examines potential risks, such as reliability issues, cybersecurity concerns, gaps in technological capability, information governance and data protection concerns.

Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2022 legitimises the use of technology in different
aspects of the electoral process. The steady increase in technology adoption
in the electoral process continued in 2023, after successful pilots in the
Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun state elections. This article investigates how
technology has been deployed to conduct elections in Nigeria, comparing it
to other jurisdictions, notably Estonia. This study adopts a qualitative case
study approach, synthesising expert views and reviews from the available
literature, official documents, and press releases to produce emergent themes.
The article considers the emerging legal, regulatory, and technical concerns
from both a scholarly and industry perspective. The article also examines
potential risks, such as reliability issues, cybersecurity concerns, gaps
in technological capability, information governance and data protection
concerns.

File Type: pdf
Categories: Journal of African Elections
Tags: e-voting;electoral management; cybersecurity; election technology; INEC
2023 journal of african elections v22n2 eisa transparent democratic governance in africa