2023: INEC hints on hitch-free voter cards collection

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mahmood Yakubu at a two day workshop on Monday, revealed that it is making arrangements for the smooth collection of Permanent Voters Cards by valid registrants.

Recall the Commission had revealed in a signed statement that Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs for all valid registrants would be available for collection by the end of October or early November. This is part of the Calendar and Schedule of 2023.

According to Yakubu, the Commission is conscious that a credible voter register is the basic requirement for the conduct of a credible election.

Therefore devoted time and energy to the cleaning up of the voter register using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).

Also, the process is almost finalized and the Commission will engage with stakeholders relating to its findings before displaying the register for claims and objections as required by law.

Mahmood who was represented by National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Barrister Festus Okoye, said

“I want to assure Nigerians that the Commission will deploy and continue to deploy appropriate technology for the conduct of elections. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IreV) will be deployed for the conduct of the 2023 general election.”

“We will continue to use technology to improve and enhance the credibility of elections in Nigeria. Our goal is electoral justice where every Nigerian will experience electoral fulfilment.”

The Chairman in his remark affirmed the importance of the capacity building for the media professionals especially as preparation for the 2023 general elections is at it’s crunch period.

“This workshop is timely as preparations for the conduct of the 2023 general election, which is just 152 days away, has reached an advanced and critical stage. It is therefore important for the media, especially the INEC Press Corp to have a good knowledge and understanding of the workings and operations of the Commission. This is necessary for an informed and balanced coverage of the Commission’s activities and the dissemination of information to the general public, He said,”

Earlier in his welcome address, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, Segun Agbaje, said modern societies cannot be imagined without mass communication since the mass media, as the fourth estate, plays a noble role of supplementing the three branches of democratic government by providing checks and balances.

On his part, the team leader of the EU implementing body, DAI, Rudolf Elbing, said they are honored to be leading implementation of the 1st Component of European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN)-which aims to support INEC in its endeavours to improve the quality of electoral administration in the country, and ultimately, foster a functioning, pluralistic, inclusive, participatory, and representative democracy in Nigeria.

He noted that the collaboration will dwell mostly on reducing fake news, hate speech and misinformation especially as INEC has demonstrated its strong commitment to transparency, and ensuring that the public is well informed about INEC’s stewardship of the electoral process.

Similarly, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, who gave the aims and objectives of the workshop, said the essence is to ensure that voters’ understanding of the election processes are enhanced through reportage.

Also Speaking, Chairman of the INEC of Press Corps, Segun Ojumu said “My colleagues want me to make this request: We would like the Commission to respond even quicker to issues as they come up in the weeks and months ahead.”