As part of its preparation for the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that its allegiance and loyalists are to Nigerians.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave this assurance at the opening of a two-day induction retreat for the commissions Administrative Secretaries in Lagos.
The electoral body also warned its staff against compromise.
In his opening remarks, Yakubu, who was represented by the INEC National Commissioner, Election and Party Monitoring Committee, Sam Olumekun, said that the retreat was part of the preparation of INEC for the 2023 general elections.
According to him, over the last 23 years since the return of democratic rule, the commission has recorded steady progress with the nations elections getting better and citizens confidence in the process increasing.
He said that since the 2011 general elections, the reliance on new knowledge and experience gathered from the conduct of previous elections, enhancing electoral integrity and improving voter experience through innovations, planning and technology had guided INEC through several elections. “Consequently, our elections have become better, electoral outcomes less contentious and less stressful”, he added.
The INEC chairman said that with the first poll in 2023 general elections remaining 88 days, there was the need, more than ever, for the Commission to remain focused and deliver a successful General Election.
Yakubu further said that Administrative Secretaries were also expected to fully support their respective RECs to ensure the effective coordination and deployment of men and materials focused mainly on delivering expected outcomes. He urged State offices of INEC to have regular reassessment of preparedness to identify and address possible bottlenecks and update the relevant authorities of the Commission.
Yakubu also said INEC had designed systems, portals and developed them to cater for different electoral activities ranging from voter registration and accreditation, result transmission from the polling units. He said that such a portal was also to cater for the nomination of candidates by political parties, accreditation of polling agents, observers among other activities for elections.
In his welcome address, INEC Residents Electoral Commissioner, Lagos State, Olusegun Agbaje, said that it was imperative for the electoral umpire to step up its preparation for the conduct of 2023 elections, hence the retreat. Agbaje noted that INEC must not rest on its oars but re-double efforts to achieve a seamless conduct of the polls.
The retreat was sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme, (UNDP).
