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NDPC and INEC Strengthen Electoral Data Protection Framework
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to safeguard the personal data of more than 94 million registered voters ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
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As part of the collaboration, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, inaugurated a joint NDPC–INEC working group aimed at embedding robust data protection and privacy practices across Nigeria’s electoral ecosystem.
A Joint Working Group to Enforce Data Privacy Compliance
The partnership establishes a dedicated working group to ensure full compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 throughout the electoral process. The initiative is designed to strengthen accountability in how voter data is collected, stored, processed, and shared. This is an increasingly critical issue as digital technologies play a larger role in elections.
According to NDPC, the collaboration will also extend to political parties and third-party vendors involved in election-related data processing.
Key Pillars of the NDPC–INEC Data Protection Strategy
The joint framework focuses on several core areas, including:
- Joint Working Group: A collaborative body inaugurated in April 2026 to oversee data protection compliance across the electoral value chain.
- Voter Data Security: Enhanced safeguards for the personal data of approximately 94 million registered voters held by INEC.
- Political Party Compliance: Mandatory appointment of Data Protection Officers (DPOs) by political parties and strict adherence to NDPA 2023 requirements in handling members’ data.
- Training and Certification: Capacity building for INEC staff through training on ISO 27701 Privacy Information Management System (PIMS).
- Enforcement Measures: Strong sanctions for non-compliance, with penalties ranging from ₦10 million to up to two percent of gross annual earnings.
Boosting Trust and Credibility in the Electoral Process
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Olatunji stressed that INEC holds one of the largest repositories of personal data in the country, making voter data protection a national priority.
He noted that strengthening privacy safeguards would improve public trust and confidence in the electoral process, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections. He also emphasised the importance of engaging political parties to ensure responsible data handling across the board.
INEC Welcomes Deeper Collaboration on Data Privacy
INEC’s Deputy Director of Management Information Systems, Dr. Uzunma Aja Nwachukwu, commended NDPC for its leadership in advancing data protection in Nigeria. She noted that INEC benefited from NDPC’s initial data protection training and certification programme, adding that the knowledge gained is already being applied to protect voter information.
Dr. Nwachukwu also called for expanded sensitisation programmes to further strengthen data protection awareness among INEC staff nationwide.
Raising Awareness Across the Electoral Ecosystem
Beyond INEC, the joint working group will sensitise political parties, civil society organisations, vendors, and other third parties. The focus will be on their obligations as data controllers and processors of major importance. The initiative is expected to promote responsible data processing practices. It will also accelerate the adoption of Data Protection Officers across Nigeria’s political landscape.
With the 2027 elections on the horizon, the NDPC–INEC partnership represents a significant milestone. It demonstrates a firm commitment to embedding strong data governance and privacy protection within Nigeria’s electoral integrity framework.
