With hundred days to the 2023 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission says it has concluded plans to kick-start the bi-weekly and daily media briefings to keep the citizens abreast in its preparations for the electoral activities
The Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this in a message today, Wednesday, 16th November 2022.
He said as the commission stand firm in the deployment of BVAS and IReV for the 2023 General Election, there is therefore the need for constant engagement with critical stakeholders to enhance transparency and accountability of the electioneering process.
Thus calling on all citizens to participate fully in all electoral activities, particularly the ongoing display of the Register of Voters for claims and objections, as well as the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).
“I also call on political parties and political leaders to conduct their campaigns peacefully, eschewing divisiveness, rancour, and violence
“It is exactly 100 days today before polling units open at 8.30 am on Saturday 25th February 2023 for national elections (Presidential and National Assembly) and two weeks later on Saturday 11th March 2023 for State elections (Governorship and State Houses of Assembly).
“As I have said repeatedly, the Commission’s allegiance is to Nigeria. Our loyalty is to Nigerians who want free, fair, credible, and verifiable elections supported by technology, which guarantees transparent accreditation and upload of polling unit results for citizens to view in real-time on Election Day. It is for these reasons that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) were introduced. There is no going back on the deployment of BVAS and IReV for the 2023 General Election.
“Similarly, we will continue with our regular engagement with political parties, civil society organizations, the media, and other critical stakeholders. Above all, Nigerians deserve the right to know about the progress we are making and the challenges (if any) we confront in our preparations for the General Election.
“As Nigerians are aware, the election is a multi-stakeholder activity. We will continue to play our part diligently and conscientiously. We appeal to all stakeholders and, above all, citizens to play their part so that working together, we can have the elections that Nigerians yearn for, and which the world expects from us.”
The 2023 General Election is the 7th since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, as the nation has over the years made steady progress in its electoral reform and election administration in terms of boosting the citizens’ confidence in the process.
