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INEC to deploy 3 National Commissioners, others for FCT council poll
Yakubu Mahmood
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will deploy three National Commissioners to oversee the February 12 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu, at the commission’s stakeholder meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, said that six Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) would also be deployed to support the FCT REC for a smooth vote.
Yakubu, who assured the INEC’s commitment to hold free, fair, credible and transparent elections, urged the interested parties to correspond to the exercise of gestures.
The president pointed out that INEC’s eyes were on all its officials, “whether ad hoc or regular staff,” to ensure that they strictly comply.
“All parties, candidates and their supporters should do the same.
“No one will benefit from process disruption or other acts of misconduct. That the voters of the FCT elect their leaders in a free, fair and peaceful contest.”
The president said that INEC had hired and trained ad hoc personnel suitable for the election.
He added that all non-confidential materials had been handed over to the area councils, while sensitive materials would be handed over by the Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the FCT office in Garki on February 10.
“Non-pharmaceutical materials were procured to protect voters and staff from COVID-19 in accordance with commission policy based on protocols.
“Transportation arrangements have been made, including motorcycles for remote locations and boats for riverside areas.
“We will deploy assistive devices like a Braille ballot guide and magnifying glasses for voters with physical disabilities,” he said.
Yakubu, who said that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) had been set up and ready to roll out for the election, noted that its performance had been reviewed since the previous election in Anambra.
“For congested voting units, the commission will deploy more than one BVAS to facilitate rapid voter registration.
“We will also deploy additional personnel to these locations. We also agreed with the security agencies to deploy more personnel to ensure peace and order.
“We have also made adequate arrangements for technical support and transportation to respond quickly in the unlikely event of failure on Election Day.
“Similarly, the election results will be uploaded to INEC’s results display portal (IReV) in real time when voting ends and votes are counted in voting units on election day,” Yakubu said. .
According to him, the election of the FCT is not without litigation, since there are eight cases in court that question the nomination or the educational qualification of the candidates.
He said that while some of the cases were already before the Supreme Court, there were no conflicting rulings or jurisdictional coordination orders anywhere in the election.
“Let me take this opportunity to thank the judiciary, particularly the FCT High Court, for standing up to the fraudsters of forum buyers and litigation-happy people who often waste valuable court and court time. INEC in the most unlikely cases”.
He revealed that INEC had accredited 58 groups of observers (53 nationals and 5 foreigners) who would deploy no less than 2,242 field observers.
Yakubu said the commission had accredited 45 media organizations that expected to deploy 340 journalists to cover the survey.
However, he reiterated that incitement to vote in all its forms, including vote buying at polling stations, remained a violation of the law.
“The ban on the use of mobile phones and other photographic devices in voting booths remains in place,” Yakubu said.
For his part, the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Muhammad Bello, assured that the administration will support the INEC and other interested parties to guarantee free, fair and credible elections in the area councils of the Territory.
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, said that the police, as the lead agency, were working in synergy with other security agencies to provide the environment for peaceful elections.
Baba, representative of the police, Mr. Basil Idegwu, said that the police were prepared to ensure that they deploy the best of their human and material resources during the exercise.
The IG assured that its staff would be professional and ensure a smooth election, free from political bullying and violent crime.
“On the part of the Nigerian police, efforts have been made to ensure a smooth election.
“Part of the strategies put in place to ensure free, fair and credible elections, threat analysis, intelligence gathering and intelligence sharing with sister security agencies led to the identification of peculiar threats across councils in the area,” he said. Slime.
The Executive Director of Yaiga Africa, Mr. Samson Itodo, expressed confidence in INEC’s ability to conduct free and fair elections.
Idoto, however, advised INEC to ensure that the BVAS works effectively and that voting starts early as scheduled on election day.
He urged the FCT minister to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the amended electoral bill into law to enhance the credibility of the nation’s general election.
Ms. Felicia Sani, National President of the Nigerian Market Men and Women Association, urged youth and women to avoid violence during the FCT council election.
Sani said she had advised market women to warn their protégés against violence, saying, “always remember there is life after elections.”
The Nigerian News Agency reports that 475 candidates have been approved by parties, including the ruling APC and the main opposition PDP, to contest the presidency and council seats in Bwari, Abaji Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and the Abuja Municipal Council (AMAC).
NAM reports that the candidates took an oath, pledging to ensure a peaceful exercise.
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