…Assures use of BVAS
The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has banned its regular and ad-hoc staff allegedly found to be negligent, including collation and returning officers (ROs), during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, from participating in the forthcoming March 11 governorship and State Assembly elections.
The nations electoral body also assured Nigerians that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be used in the forthcoming governorship and state legislature elections.
The INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this yesterday, at a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) held at the INEC headquarters, Abuja.
According to him, As we approach the governorship and State Assembly elections, we must work harder to overcome the challenges experienced in the last election. Nothing else will be acceptable to Nigerians.
All staff found to be negligent, whether they are regular or ad hoc officials, including collation and returning officers (ROs), must not be involved in forthcoming elections.
RECs must also immediately initiate disciplinary action where prima facie evidence of wrongdoing has been established, Yakubu emphasised.
He noted that yesterdays meeting was the third in less than two months, and that like the last two meetings, the purpose was to discuss the conduct of the 2023 General Election, arising from the presidential and National Assembly elections held a week ago, and with the governorship and State assembly elections holding this week.
Yakubu said it was imperative to review performance and assess preparations.
He, however, assured that the Commission will continue to engage with the RECs and all segments of the Nigerian society in a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder review of the election in earnest.
