The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of November givernorship eldctions in some states, has begun a review of the 2023 general election with Electoral Officers and Leaders of Transport Unions to review logistic arrangements.
The review, which is being led by INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu, will focus on ten critical areas, including the general state of preparedness for the election, the voters registration process, the recruitment and deployment of ad hoc staff, and the receipt and deployment of election materials.
The commission said the engagement became imperative to undertake a comprehensive post-election review, and to learn critical lessons for future elections.
Professor Yakubu on Wednesday said the review would be an opportunity to identify areas of strength and weakness for immediate improvement in forthcoming elections, especially the three off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states scheduled to hold on November 11, 2023.
He also said that the Commission plans to hold more engagements with internal and external stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations, the media, and security agencies.
The review is part of INEC’s commitment to ensuring that all elections in Nigeria are free, fair, and credible.
In her remarks, the Chairman, Planning, Monitoring and Strategic Committee, Prof. Rhoda H. Gumus said, one of such critical role transporters would play in the conduct of elections in Nigeria, is to ensure the early movement of personnel and materials to the polling units on election day, awaiting the arrival of voters.
She said, the commission therefore expects the leadership of the unions to effectively supervise their members in the various branches and chapters for the full implementation of the MoU.
The implementation of the contractual agreement between the commission and the actual service providers; is always toe carried out at the State and LGA level between official of the Unions and Resident Electoral Commissioners/Electoral Officers.
Here are some of the key points from the speech:
- The review will focus on ten critical areas, including the general state of preparedness for the election, the voters registration process, the recruitment and deployment of ad hoc staff, and the receipt and deployment of election materials.
- The review is an opportunity to identify areas of strength and weakness for immediate improvement in forthcoming elections.
- The Commission plans to hold more engagements with internal and external stakeholders.
- The review is part of INEC’s commitment to ensuring that all elections in Nigeria are free, fair, and credible.
Nigeria’s electoral body sees this review as a positive step towards ensuring that the next elections in Nigeria are well-run and transparent.
Observers say it is important that INEC takes the time to identify and address any weaknesses in the electoral process, so that all Nigerians can have confidence in the results of the elections.