2023 polls: Our loyalty is to Nigerians, by INEC Chairman

• Says elections will be free, fair, tech-driven

• Insists no going back on BIVAS, IReV

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

With 100 days to the next year’s general elections, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu has restated that the Commission’ loyalty is to Nigerians who want free, fair, credible and verifiable elections supported by technology.

Such verifiable elections backed by technology, Yakubu assured, will guarantee transparent accreditation and upload of polling unit results for citizens to view in real-time on Election Day.

The INEC Chairman said this in a message to Nigerians personally signed by him and made available to the media yesterday in Abuja.

Yakubu categorically declared that there is no going back on the deployment of Bimodal Voters’ Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing Centre  IReV )for the 2023 General Election.

He stressed further that the electoral body will continue with its regular engagement with political parties, civil society organisations, the media and other critical stakeholders.

The INEC Chairman said, “As I have said repeatedly, the Commission’s allegiance is to Nigeria.

“Our loyalty is to Nigerians who want free, fair, credible and verifiable elections supported by technology, which guarantees transparent accreditation and upload of polling unit results for citizens to view in real-time on Election Day.

“It is for these reasons that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) were introduced.

“There is no going back on the deployment of BVAS and IReV for the 2023 General Election.

“Similarly, we will continue with our regular engagement with political parties, civil society organisations, the media and other critical stakeholders.

“Above all, Nigerians deserve the right to know about the progress we are making and the challenges (if any) we confront in our preparations for the General Election.

“Accordingly, in a couple of weeks, the Commission will start bi-weekly media briefings followed by weekly briefings as we get closer to the election.

“In the week leading to the election, there will be daily briefings” he said.

Yakubu however called on all citizens to participate fully in all electoral activities, particularly the ongoing display of the Register of Voters for claims and objections, as well as collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

He tasked the nation’s political parties and political leaders to conduct their campaigns peacefully, eschewing divisiveness, rancour and violence.

His words, “As Nigerians are aware, election is a multi-stakeholder activity. We will continue to play our part diligently and conscientiously.

“We appeal to all stakeholders and, above all, citizens to play their own part so that working together, we can have the elections that Nigerians yearn for, and which the world expects from us”, he said.

In his message entitled, “100 Days To The 2023 General Election, the INEC Chairman said, “It is exactly 100 days today (yesterday) before polling units open at 8.30am on Saturday 25th February 2023 for national elections (Presidential and National Assembly) and two weeks later on Saturday 11th March 2023 for State elections (Governorship and State Houses of Assembly).

“Once again, another General Election is upon us, the 7th since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999.

“Over the last 23 years, we have made a steady progress in the twin areas of electoral reform and election administration.

“Although a lot of work still lies ahead, it is generally acknowledged that our elections are getting better and citizens’ confidence in the process is increasing”, he said.

Describing election as a multi-stakeholder activity, Yakubu said, “We will continue to play our part diligently and conscientiously.

“We appeal to all stakeholders and, above all, citizens to play their own part so that working together, we can have the elections that Nigerians yearn for, and which the world expects from us”, he said.