Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), Prof Yakubu Mahmoud, has provided a fresh update on how far the
commission has prepared for the off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa,
Imo, and Kogi States.
In 24 hours, 5,169,692 Nigerians who collected their
Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in the affected states would be heading to their
different polling units to elect their next governors.
The INEC boss noted that this is the first time in Nigeria’s
history that these elections are held on the same day and across three
geopolitical zones of the country: North Central (Kogi), South East (Imo), and
South-South (Bayelsa).
He called on INEC officials (both regular and ad hoc) to
demonstrate the highest level of patriotism and professionalism, stressing that
the Commission is not a political party and has no candidate in the election.
“Our responsibility is to safeguard the process and ensure a
level playing field for all political parties and candidates,” he said in a
statement he personally signed.
“The choice of who becomes the Governor of Bayelsa, Imo, and
Kogi States is entirely in the hands of voters.”
“We have delivered all sensitive and non-sensitive materials
for the elections. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has been
configured for deployment to polling units as the only means of voter
verification and fingerprint/facial biometric authentication of voters.
“Polling Unit results will be uploaded to the INC Result Viewing
(IRe) portal. All election-duty officials have been trained.
“Arrangements have been made for land and maritime
transportation to enable us to commence voting on schedule. In spite of the
extremely difficult terrain and physical infrastructure in some locations, we
are determined to ensure that our officials are there waiting for voters,
rather than the voters waiting for our arrival.
“For these off-cycle elections, the Commission is deploying
two National Commissioners, nine (9) Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs),
and Administrative Secretaries (ASs), as well as additional staff from
different states to each of the three states to support the process. They will
be deployed across the senatorial zones in the States.
“Election is a multi-stakeholder responsibility. As with
every election, lessons have been learned from recent elections. We will
continue to ensure free, fair, and credible and inclusive elections, but INEC
cannot do it alone.
“We have received assurances from the security agencies that
the environment will be secure for electoral activities and all participants:
voters, electoral officials, accredited observers, the media, and polling and
collection agents.
“Political parties and candidates have signed the peace
accord under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC). Let us
maintain the peace and play our roles conscientiously. By doing so, we shall
continue to consolidate our democracy.”
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