Digital Transformation: NIPR Introduces Online Voting for Council Members
By Kabir Abdulsalam
In a bold move that signals a new era of innovation and transparency, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has launched an online voting system for its 2025 Council elections, marking a significant step in the institute’s ongoing digital transformation journey.
For the first time in the history of the professional body, members can now vote for their preferred candidates using a secure digital platform, accessible from any location with a smartphone or internet-enabled device.
This digital shift is not only streamlining the electoral process but also positioning NIPR as a trailblazer among professional bodies in Nigeria embracing technology for governance.
In a commendable show of efficiency, the online voting process allows NIPR members to complete both accreditation and voting within minutes.
According to the guidelines released by the 2025 NIPR Electoral Committee, accredited members will receive their Voter ID (membership number) and a unique Voter Key via SMS and email 12 hours before the election begins.
Once the portal opens at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 22, members will have a three-hour window—until 2:00 PM—to log in, review the list of contestants, select their preferred candidate, and submit their final vote. A confirmation message seals the process, ensuring transparency and boosting voter confidence.
This system was designed not only for convenience but to drastically reduce the time and resources traditionally spent on in-person voting.
“You have taken about a minute. And that is really tremendous,” said the NIPR president, Dr. Ike Neliaku, in a video remark while commending the Electoral Committee.
“This used to take us eight hours to do. I have achieved this for myself in less than 30 seconds. And for 700 in less than 24 hours. I congratulate you.”
Beyond the convenience of remote voting, the online system is also fortified with security measures to ensure that each vote counts and the process is tamper-proof.
Read Also:
For using automatically generated voter keys and individualized voter IDs, the platform eliminates the risk of duplicate voting or identity fraud.
Spokesperson’s digest report that the platform also ensures auditability, as every vote is traceable to a verified member ID, increasing the credibility of the election outcomes.
“Accreditation ends by 10:00 AM, and voting begins immediately after at 11:00 AM. Within three hours, the process is completed,” the Electoral Committee noted.
With support desks available for assistance and a straightforward user interface, even less tech-savvy members are empowered to participate.
The NIPR’s successful integration of technology into its electoral system sends a strong message to other professional and regulatory bodies in Nigeria. It demonstrates that digital transformation is not only possible but also highly beneficial, even in governance processes that traditionally rely on physical presence and manual systems.
“This is working,” the President continued. “I commend the Electoral Committee for a job well done. And I hope that at the end of the day, we might sit in the comfort of our hotel rooms and do the accreditation and do the voting.” His excitement reflects the broader sentiment among members who see the innovation as a welcome shift from the past.
The successful implementation of this digital voting system may very well set a precedent for other democratic exercises within public and private institutions across Nigeria. As the nation continues to grapple with challenges in electoral integrity and voter apathy, models like NIPR’s offer a template for how technology can be used to enhance participation and restore trust in democratic processes.
For NIPR members, the 2025 Council election isn’t just a vote—it’s a statement that progress, efficiency, and innovation can and should define the future of professional practice in Nigeria.
In a country where logistical delays and credibility concerns often mar electoral processes, the NIPR’s seamless digital voting system is a refreshing departure—and a bold example worth emulating.
Kabir Abdulsalam is with Spokesperson’s Digest and can be reached via: [email protected]
