Elections in 2023: Our allegiance and loyalty are to Nigerians — INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that its allegiance and loyalists are to Nigerians as part of its preparations for the 2023 general elections.

The electoral body also warned its employees not to compromise.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of INEC, gave this assurance at the start of a two-day induction retreat for the commission’s Administrative Secretaries in Lagos.

The United Nations Development Programme is sponsoring the retreat (UNDP).

Yakubu, who was represented by Mr. Sam Olumekun, the INEC National Commissioner, Election and Party Monitoring Committee (EPMC), stated in his opening remarks that the retreat was part of INEC’s preparation for the 2023 general elections.

According to him, the commission has made steady progress over the last 23 years since the return of democratic rule, with the nation’s elections improving and citizens’ trust in the process growing.

“I’ll say it again: the Commission’s allegiance is to Nigeria.” Our allegiance is to Nigerians who want elections that are free, fair, credible, and verifiable.

“I want to warn all staff of the commission to be neutral and professional in their conduct during the upcoming election,” Yakubu said.

He stated that since the 2011 general elections, INEC has guided several elections by relying on new knowledge and experience gained from previous elections, enhancing electoral integrity, and improving voter experience through innovations, planning, and technology.

“As a result, our elections have improved, and electoral outcomes have become less contentious and stressful,” he added.

Yakubu stated that with only 88 days until the first poll in the 2023 general elections, it was more important than ever for the commission to stay focused and deliver a successful General Election.

“This retreat is thus an opportunity to not only bring our Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) up to speed on election preparations, procedures, and requirements, but also to gain the commitment of our Administrative Secretaries to achieving the highest level of efficiency in implementing the strategies outlined for a successful 2023 General Election.”

“In this regard, Administrative Secretaries are expected to be effective coordinators, provide timely progress reports, and highlight challenges that must be addressed proactively without jeopardizing relevant timelines,” he said.

Administrative Secretaries, according to Yakubu, are also expected to fully support their respective RECs in order to ensure effective coordination and deployment of men and materials focused primarily on delivering expected results.

He urged INEC state offices to conduct regular readiness assessments in order to identify and address potential bottlenecks and to keep the commission’s relevant authorities informed.

“Over the last two years, the Commission has increased the deployment of technology in Nigerian elections,” he added.

Yakubu stated that INEC had designed systems, portals, and developed them to support various electoral activities such as voter registration and accreditation, as well as result transmission from polling units.

He stated that such a portal would also handle the nomination of candidates by political parties, as well as the accreditation of polling agents and observers, among other election-related activities.

“Most Nigerians are now familiar with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which doubles as a device for accreditation as well as the upload of Polling Unit level result sheets to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal on election day.”

“The combination of the BVAS and the IReV portal is here to stay as a method of voter accreditation and election result transmission.”

“I urge you to become thoroughly acquainted with INEC’s election technologies,” he said.

Mr Olusegun Agbaje, INEC Residents Electoral Commissioner, Lagos State, stated in his welcome address that it was critical for the electoral umpire to step up its preparations for the 2023 elections, thus the retreat.

Agbaje stated that INEC should not rest on its laurels and should instead redouble its efforts to ensure a smooth election process.

“There is no doubt that the tasks ahead rest squarely on you all as Accounting Officers, whose ingenuity will be relied upon to effectively manage the logistics and indeed all aspects of the election’s conduct,” he said.

“It is therefore incumbent on all participants to bring your wealth of experience and expertise to bear in order to ensure an efficient and effective management of the entire election process, with special attention to election logistics in your respective States.”

Mr Deryck Fritz, UNDP’s Chief Technical Advisor, stated in his goodwill message that the peaceful transfer of power was inextricably linked to processes and outcomes that were accepted by political actors, civil society, and the general public.

” As the constitutionally mandated electoral management body, INEC must be and be seen to be the impartial and neutral arbiter of the electoral contest.”

“In accordance with SDG 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions,” he said, “UNDP continues to support inclusive, transparent, and credible electoral processes for peaceful and cohesive societies.”

According to Fritz, the retreat will provide an important opportunity for information sharing and discussion on the preparations and key aspects of the electoral process, ensuring uniform understanding and consistency in the implementation of electoral procedures.