By David Onimisi Lawani
The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Yakubu Mahmood has solicited the support and cooperation of all security agents stating that the Anambra governorship election slated for November 6 is crucial to be handle with kid glove.
Mahmood made this call In a remark when the commission host its Third Quarterly meeting on Inter-Agency Consultative on Election Security, (ICCES) held at its Headquarters in Abuja.
The INEC boss expressed optimism noting that no amount of distraction to its facilities will dampen its resolve to continue to defend the integrity of any poll.
He said: ” The focus of this meeting is the Anambra State Governorship election holding on 6th November 2021. You will recall that early this year, the Commission successfully expanded voter access to polling units in Nigeria. In Anambra State, there are now 5,720 polling units to which personnel and materials will be delivered. Similarly, the number of registered voters has increased because of the CVR. All 18 political parties are fielding candidates in the election. A campaign by parties and their candidates has commenced.
“As you are aware, our State Office in Awka was attacked resulting in extensive damage to the building and the destruction of critical facilities for the election including ballot boxes, voting cubicles, vehicles, power generators, and several non-sensitive materials for the election. I am glad to report that we have made arrangements to replace all lost movable materials. Similarly, we are making efforts to rebuild the physical facilities which will be completed before the election.
“You may recall that we had an emergency meeting on Thursday 27th May 2021 in the wake of attacks on our facilities across the country. This was followed by our regular quarterly meeting on Monday 21st June 2021 in which we discussed the Commission’s plan to resume the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR). I am glad that the attacks on our facilities have subsided and the CVR is now in its 11th week. Over two million Nigerians have so far registered online”, he said.
The commission thanked the security agencies for all the good they have been doing in ensuring that elections are conducted smoothly. He informed the security agents that the commission has introduced new measures in conducting fair and violence-free elections through the introduction of a new technology called the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
According to him: ” I want to express the Commission’s appreciation to the security agencies and all members of ICCES for your continued support to elections and the electoral process in Nigeria. This year alone, the Commission has conducted eight bye-elections made up of four Federal Constituencies, three State Constituencies, and one Councillorship Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
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“The last by-election was held about four weeks ago in Kaduna State. The next bye-election will be held in Delta State. We look forward to the support of the security agencies to ensure that we deliver yet another credible election for the Isoko South I State Assembly Constituency this weekend.
“For voter accreditation during the Anambra Governorship election, the Commission intends to introduce a new technology called the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) which has the capability for both the fingerprint and facial biometric accreditation.
“Over the last three days, we have explained and demonstrated how the new device will work during our consultative meetings with political parties, civil society organizations, and the media. We will do the same at this meeting. I must also add that we have concluded arrangement to pilot the new device this weekend in the Isoko South I State constituency bye-election in Delta State”, he said.
