Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Election Administration in Nigeria: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The integrity and credibility of electoral processes remain central to democratic governance, particularly in developing countries where electoral fraud and public mistrust continue to undermine civic participation. This systematic literature review examines the deployment of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in election administration in Nigeria, with comparative insights drawn from similar developing-country contexts. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework, 17 peer-reviewed articles, reports, theses, and institutional documents published between 2001 and 2023 were identified, screened, and synthesised. The review addresses two research questions: what ICT tools have been deployed in Nigerian election administration, and to what extent ICT adoption has been implemented across the electoral cycle. Findings reveal an incremental but progressive adoption of ICT tools spanning voter registration (DDCM, AFIS, and IVED), voter accreditation (PVCs, SCRM, and BVAS), electronic voting (piloted at sub-national levels), and result transmission (the I-REV Portal). While these innovations have enhanced transparency and reduced certain forms of electoral fraud, implementation has been constrained by inadequate technological infrastructure, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, digital literacy gaps, and legislative bottlenecks. The review identifies critical areas for policy intervention and charts directions for future research aimed at deepening ICT integration in Nigerian election administration.