Privacy Policy
Effective Date: March 16, 2024
The Independent National Electoral Commission (“INEC”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of everyone who visits or interacts with our website at www.inecnigeria.org.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect your personal information when you use our website and digital services.
This Policy has been prepared in accordance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDPA) and other applicable laws and regulations.
Who We Are
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the constitutional body established under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to organize, undertake, and supervise elections into public offices in Nigeria.
Website:
Head Office:
Plot 436 Zambezi Crescent,
Maitama District,
Abuja,
Federal Capital Territory,
Nigeria.
Information We Collect
Depending on how you use our website, we may collect:
Personal Information
You may voluntarily provide:
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Postal address
- Organization or affiliation
- Information contained in enquiries or complaints
- Information submitted through online forms
- CVs or documents submitted for recruitment
- Information submitted for election-related services where applicable
Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
- IP address
- Browser type
- Device information
- Operating system
- Pages visited
- Time spent on pages
- Referral URLs
- Date and time of access
- Cookies and similar technologies
How We Use Your Information
We process personal information only where necessary to:
- Respond to enquiries
- Process official requests
- Provide election-related services
- Improve website performance
- Detect fraud or abuse
- Maintain website security
- Produce statistical reports
- Comply with legal obligations
- Protect the integrity of electoral processes
- Communicate official notices where applicable
We do not sell personal information.
Legal Basis for Processing
We process personal data based on one or more of the following lawful grounds:
- Compliance with legal obligations
- Performance of public functions
- Consent (where required)
- Legitimate governmental interests
- Protection of vital interests
- Performance of tasks carried out in the public interest
Cookies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:
- Remember user preferences
- Improve website performance
- Enhance security
- Understand website usage
- Measure traffic and analytics
Users may disable cookies through their browser settings. However, some website functionality may become unavailable.
Analytics
INEC may use analytics services to understand:
- Visitor numbers
- Popular pages
- Geographic trends
- Website performance
- User interactions
Analytics data is used only to improve public services and website usability.
Information Sharing
INEC does not sell or rent personal information.
Information may only be shared:
- Where required by law
- With authorized government agencies
- With service providers acting on behalf of INEC
- During investigations authorized by law
- To protect public safety
- To comply with court orders
All service providers processing data on behalf of INEC are required to maintain appropriate confidentiality and security safeguards.
Data Security
INEC implements appropriate technical and organizational measures including:
- Encryption where appropriate
- Secure servers
- Access controls
- Network security monitoring
- Regular system updates
- Role-based access
- Security audits
- Staff confidentiality obligations
Although we strive to protect all personal information, no online system can guarantee absolute security.
Data Retention
Personal information is retained only for as long as necessary:
- To fulfil the purpose for which it was collected
- To comply with legal obligations
- To maintain public records
- To support electoral administration
- As required by applicable archival laws
When retention is no longer necessary, information will be securely deleted or anonymized.
Your Rights
Subject to applicable law, you may have the right to:
- Request access to your personal information
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion where legally applicable
- Restrict certain processing
- Object to certain processing activities
- Withdraw consent where consent is the legal basis
- Request data portability where applicable
- Lodge a complaint with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC)
Requests may be submitted using the contact information below.
Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to external websites.
INEC is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites.
Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of any external websites they visit.
Children’s Privacy
This website is intended for the general public.
Where personal information relating to minors is collected through lawful electoral or civic engagement activities, it will be handled in accordance with applicable laws.
International Data Transfers
Where personal information is transferred outside Nigeria, INEC will ensure that appropriate safeguards are implemented in accordance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and other applicable legal requirements.
Data Breach Notification
Where a personal data breach is likely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals, INEC will notify the Nigeria Data Protection Commission and affected individuals in accordance with applicable law.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
INEC may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
Any changes will be published on this page together with the updated effective date.
Continued use of the website after changes have been published constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact Us
For questions regarding this Privacy Policy or the processing of your personal information, please refer to the contact-us page
Complaints
If you believe your personal information has been processed unlawfully, you may contact INEC first to seek resolution. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in accordance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.