INEC insists 2023 elections must hold despite security challenges

Nigeria’s Electoral Umpire- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has maintained that the 2023 general election will hold despite the security challenges in the country.

The commission’s chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, declared this in Abuja at a public presentation of the 2022-2026 strategic plan and the 2023 election project plan.

Yakubu informed that the documents presented were the third in the series of strategic election plans since the era of deliberate planning of elections started in 2012.

“We are also aware of the security challenges and their impact on the electoral process. We will continue to engage early and intensely with the security agencies to ensure the safety of our personnel and materials, accredited observers and the media and, above all, the voters.

“Clearly, these are challenging times but we are determined that election must hold in 2023. However, this is a shared responsibility. INEC plays a critical role but the commission alone cannot deliver the elections we all desire”, he said.

He further explained that the 2023 elections will be governed by the new Electoral Act which contains provisions that will enhance the capacity and ability of the commission to better manage the electoral process.

The INEC boss, who promised to ensure the safety of electoral personnel and materials, accredited observers, media practitioners, and voters, also  called for the support of all Nigerians to successfully conduct the polls.

He added, “We have carefully listened to the demand of Nigerians for seamless processes, particularly with regard to enhanced voter education, better distribution of voters to polling units, quality training of election personnel, the functionality of electronic devices, improved logistics, prompt commencement of polls, availability of assistive devices for persons with disability at polling units and greater transparency in result management.

“Let once again reiterate that the dates for all activities in the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election are firm and fixed and all stakeholders are advised to take this into consideration in planning their activities.”