… Insists PVC does not expire
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
As the call for the postponement of the 2023 General Elections is getting louder in the face of the worsening security challenges bedevilling the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reassured the nation that the Commission is fully prepared to deliver free, fair and credible elections in 2023 as required by law of the land.
Also, the Commission has for the umpteenth time debunked the rumours making the rounds that the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) has expiring date as being insinuated by some people to deceive the general public and to create unnecessary tensions before the 2023 General Elections.
The INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu stated these in his opening remarks at the Public Presentation of the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (SP) and the 2023 Election Project Plan (EPP) held at Sheraton Hotels, Abuja on Wednesday.
According to him, the Commission is aware of the expectations of the Nigerian people as regards the 2023 General Elections and what is expected of the electoral umpire despite the security challenges which INEC has been a big victim, with the burning, kidnapping and killing of some INEC ad hoc staff across Nigeria.
Said he: “Clearly, these are challenging times but we are determined that election must hold in 2023. However, this is a shared responsibility. INEC plays a critical role but the Commission alone cannot deliver the elections we all desire. I therefore appeal to all Nigerians to joins hands with us in ensuring that we make a success of the process”.
However, the INEC boss said: “We have carefully listened to the demand of Nigerians for seamless processes, particularly with regard to enhanced voter education, better distribution of voters to polling units, quality training of election personnel, functionality of electronic devices, improved logistics, prompt commencement of polls, availability of assistive devices for persons with disability at polling units and greater transparency in result management”.
Speaking further on the security challenges, Yakubu said: “We are also aware of the security challenges and their impact on the electoral process. We will continue to engage early and intensely with the security agencies to ensure the safety of our personnel and materials, accredited observers and the media and, above all, the voters”.
Meanwhile, the INEC Chairman has said the official presentation of the ‘INEC Strategic Plan 2022-2026 and the INEC Election Project Plan for the 2023 General Election’ on Wednesday in Abuja was part of the Commission’s deliberate efforts to improve the country’s electoral processes.
According to him: “The documents presented today are the third in the series of strategic election plans since the era of deliberate planning of elections started in 2012. I am glad to report that these plans have been finalised ten months ahead of the 2023 General Election”.
“As you may be aware, the election will be conducted for 1,491 constituencies nationwide made up of 1 Presidential Constituency, 109 Senatorial Districts, 360 Federal Constituencies, 28 Governorship Elections and 993 State Constituencies”.
“The election will involve an estimated one million electoral officials (both permanent and temporary or ad hoc staff) deployed to 176,846 polling units in 8,809 Wards and 774 Local Government Areas across the country. The election will be governed by a new Electoral Act 2022, which contains many progressive provisions that will enhance the capacity of the Commission to conduct elections and manage the electoral process better”.
He however said to do this, the Commission relies on three key elements. First, the knowledge and experience gathered from the conduct of previous elections. Second, the use of innovations to enhance electoral integrity and improve voter experience and Third, the institutionalization of the culture of planning. These elements have guided the Commission through three successive general and several off-cycle and bye elections.
Yakubu argued that: “our elections are getting better, electoral outcomes less contentious, and voter experience of the electoral system increasingly more participatory and inclusive”.
The event was attended by the INEC National Commissioners, Residet Electoral Commissioners (REC) from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Media Executives, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), and the European Union- Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) and EFCS as well as Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
