NBA Election Finally Begins After Cyberattack Disrupts Voting

According to Ireporter Online, voting in the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) national election has officially commenced after a coordinated cyberattack forced a delay in the start of the electronic voting process.

The election was originally scheduled to begin at 12:00 a.m. on Saturday but was postponed after the association’s electronic voting platform reportedly came under sustained attacks from external actors seeking to compromise the process.

In a statement addressed to candidates, eligible voters, agents and observers, the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) expressed regret over the disruption and apologised to stakeholders for the unexpected delay. The committee explained that the cyberattack was a deliberate attempt to undermine the credibility and smooth conduct of the election.

The statement, signed by ECNBA Chairman, Aham Ejelam (SAN), and Secretary, Ibrahim Aliyu Nassarawa, described the incident as a calculated assault on the committee’s technical infrastructure, noting that its information technology and cybersecurity teams immediately collaborated with the Election Voting Service Provider to contain the threat.

The committee disclosed that all available cybersecurity measures and protective protocols were activated to repel the attack, restore the integrity of the platform and ensure the election could proceed securely. It assured members that voting would begin immediately after the system was confirmed safe and fully operational.

While restoration efforts were underway, the ECNBA cautioned eligible voters against using unofficial links or platforms claiming to provide alternative voting access, warning that such channels could form part of the malicious campaign targeting the election.

The committee reiterated that www.ecnbaovs.org.ng remains the only authorised portal for casting votes in the election and urged members to rely solely on official communications for updates.

It further revealed that all candidates, their agents and accredited observers remained present at the designated monitoring centre throughout the disruption, stressing that the electoral process continued under the full supervision of the committee despite the temporary technical setback.

The ECNBA reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a free, fair, transparent and credible election, insisting that criminal attempts to interfere with the process would not deter it from conducting a successful poll. It also pledged to keep members informed through its official communication channels as the election progresses.