2023: We Will Make Nigerians Vote With Ease, Says INEC

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will build on the successes recorded in the recent off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun states by improving on the delivery of election materials and timely commencement of voting.

In this regard, the commission said it would continuously improve its processes and procedures to give Nigerians a pleasant experience on election day.

INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, gave the assurance yesterday at the “Expert Meeting on Election Logistics for 2023 General Elections” in Lagos.

Yakubu recalled that in 2018, the commission organised a similar meeting with critical stakeholders ahead of the 2019 general election.

“Logisticians, the security agencies, other agencies responsible for facilitating the clearance of election materials at entry ports such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Niger Ports Authority (NPA), aviation agencies, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics, training institutions such as the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), the private sector such as banks and manufacturers, trade unions, civil society organisations, and our development partners.

“The aim of the meeting was to review the perennial challenges associated with electoral logistics and how to address them.

“Since then, efforts have been made to improve electoral logistics and election administration in general,” he said.

In achieving this goal, Yakubu said the commission needed the support and partnership of all stakeholders.

He continued: “By your presence at this meeting, you have demonstrated your willingness to partner with the commission and we are encouraged by such demonstration of support and commitment to the success of the electoral process as we continue to make steady progress in the implementation of our plans.

“So far, the commission has successfully implemented nine out of 14 activities listed in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election.

“You may recall that two weeks ago, the commission published the final list of candidates for national elections (presidential, senatorial, and House of Representatives).

“Today, the list of candidates for state elections (governorship and state Houses of Assembly) will be published in all our offices nationwide and uploaded to the commission’s website as required by law. For the governorship election holding in 28 states of the federation, the 18 political parties have nominated a total of 837 candidates and their running mates. For state assembly constituencies, 10,240 candidates are vying for 993 seats.”

With just 143 days to the 2023 General Election, he said the meeting was timely, adding that with partnership and support from Action Aid Nigeria, the commission looked forward to actionable recommendations that would ensure a seamless logistics for the 2023 general election.