CBN cash policy may threaten general election – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed fears that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cash policy might affect the conduct of the 2023 general election.

INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Federal Capital Territory, Yahaya Bello said this, while speaking at the North Central Elections Stakeholders Roundtable organised by the Centre for Transparency and Advocacy CTA on Tuesday, in Abuja.

With the difficulty experienced by many in accessing the redesigned naira notes across the country, the Commissioner said it might be quite challenging for the commission during the election period as money will be required for logistics.

He said because most services require cash to run, INEC may have to struggle to deploy staff and election related materials across the country if nothing is done to address the issue.

Bello also said the Commission’s over 12,000 adhoc staff will be needing cash for transportation and logistics on the eve of the election day for smooth running of the exercise.

“In FCT, we have six area councils and we have 2,800 polling units. In each unit we are going to have three officials with two security agents. Before Election Day, we are going to employ the services of vehicle providers.

“On the night of Friday, we have more than 12,000 adhoc staff in FCT that we are going to give cash for food and transportation. None of them will receive a cheque or transfer. The least amount is N5,000. This is FCT alone”, he added.

Speaking on INEC’s preparedness for the elections, he said the commission is set for the election because it had received 80% of the election-related paperwork and had people who had undergone training beforehand.

Also, the Centre for Transparency Advocacy’s Executive Director, Faith Nwadishi urged INEC to extend the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voters Card (PVCs).

She also condemned the numerous attacks of INEC offices across the country.

“Security is a critical aspect of the electoral process that requires attention during the entire electoral process and INEC has recently raised an alarm indicating that insecurity may stall the 2023 elections.

“Citizens too have had cause to worry over the ugly and alarming trend of burning INEC offices and materials in recent times. This dangerous and criminal act if unchecked could pose a grave danger to the 2023 General Elections.

“At last count there had been about 50 incidents and attacks in 15 states of the Federation. The type of attacks includes bandits’ attacks, Post-Election Attacks, Boko haram, Thuggery on election day, Unknown Gun men and Hoodlums, End SARS, among others.

“At the just concluded Mock accreditation held on Saturday 4th February, 2023, one of our observers was attacked at one of the PUs in Delta state by suspected party thugs.

“In January 2023 alone, according to a recently published report, by the Global Rights’ Incident Centre for Election Atrocities, there were 19 attacks on politicians and politically exposed persons; 30 politically motivated killings; 6 attacks on political party rallies; 15 politically motivated abductions and 5 attacks on government facilities and police stations.

“All men and women of goodwill should condemn these senseless attacks while joining hands to quench this ugly trend.

“We expect better synergy between the police, the lead security agency on election security and other members of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCESS) with stakeholders on election. We will be glad if the security agencies will share important information with other stakeholders, especially on flash points,” She added.