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SERAP asks INEC to publish details of security of election data

Transparency group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the details of safeguards and mechanisms put in place to protect the privacy and security of election information and data in its custody, including the ones in its servers, databases, and other electronic formats.

In a letter directed to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on March 26, signed by the deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the electoral body to clarify whether any third-party was involved in the collection, control, and use of election information and data, the legal rules and processes guiding the choice of any such third party.

It equally asked Mahmood to “clarify the other location or locations where election information is stored apart from Abuja, and the details of any third-party who has access to such a database, the safeguards and contingency plans put in place by INEC to address any threats to the privacy and security of election information.”

The body maintained that doing this would help to remove risks of attack and unlawful interference by any unauthorized person with election information and data, adding that it would contribute to improving the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process, and public trust in the process.

The letter read in part, “Putting in place adequate technological security measures to prevent unauthorized access to election information and data would improve the credibility of the electoral process and the enjoyment of people’s right to participate in their own government.”

“As an institution, which collects, controls and uses election-related information and data in the discharge of its constitutional and statutory duties, INEC has a legal responsibility to ensure adequate protection of such information and data from threats and vulnerabilities to attack or interference.”

“Any interference by unauthorized third-party in election information and data may be used for corrupt, political and other unlawful purposes, and would expose election systems to fraud and meddling, as well undermine the right to participation and the country’s democratic system.”

“The right of people to participate in their government is a fundamental feature of any democratic society, and any infringement of privacy and security of election information and data would strike at the heart of representative government.”

It added, “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”

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“SERAP notes that voter registration systems and voting systems are the most vulnerable and susceptible to manipulation by corrupt politicians and other actors.”

“As the experiences in other countries have shown, election information is often susceptible to unlawful interference by corrupt politicians and other actors, which can be damaging to the integrity of the electoral process and democratic practices.”

“The experiences of other countries demonstrate the need for INEC to take effective and transparent measures to ensure and protect the privacy and security of election information and data, which would protect the integrity of the country’s democracy.”

“SERAP notes that Section 9(2)(a) of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that INEC ‘shall keep the Register of Voters in its National Headquarters and other locations as the Commission may determine.’ The provision also states that INEC ‘shall keep the Register of Voters in electronic format in its central database.’

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