By David Lawani, Abuja
The Resident National Electoral Commission, REC, for the Federal Capital Territory, Yahaya Bello has applauded and assured the National Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and the general public of its preparations for the FCT Area Council election for February 12th.
Briefing the national chairman and media organizations in a visit at the FCT Office in Area 10 by the INEC Chairman to ascertain their level of preparedness, the REC stated that they have been meeting with stakeholders including media, political parties, traditional and religious leaders to inform them of activities line up for the elections.
He disclosed that they have been using radio, print media, jingles, NOA, and a host of information dissemination channels to convey the REC messages, saying it appreciated the timely release of funds by the national headquarters for the smooth conduct of the Area Council poll.
He said: “Disbursement of funds: In preparation for the FCT Area Council Elections, funds of varying categories were released to the Electoral Officers for the hiring of vehicles in preparation of RACs, servicing and fuelling of generating sets among others.
“Engagement with our critical stakeholders including press conference; spot, interviews, participation in live TV and Radio programmes and spot interviews were done and still ongoing, both at Area Councils level and Area 10 Commission.
“While in Area Councils, traditional and religious leaders were already consulted and engaged, here we poised to host them early February, before the Expanded stakeholders’ engagement to be addressed by the Hon. Chairman on 8th February 2022.
“On behalf of all of us here in FCT, let me express our profound gratitude and appreciation to the Hon. National Chairman and the members of the National Commission for several approvals of our request and those initiated at the INEC HQs, the release of funds and guidance which has immensely contributed to the level of our preparedness today. May God Almighty reward you most abundantly Sir.
“While we shall henceforth devout our energy and dedication to ensure the conduct of the free, fair, transparent and inclusive election, we thank you for concern and support. Please have a safe trip back to Maitama, stay very healthy and safe”, he said.
The REC said sequel to the issuance of election notice on 30th March 2021, a series of activities were, and still are being conducted. He added that 508 males and 21, 478 females were captured in the enrolment process of CVR before it was terminated.
According to him: “Notably among them are concluded Party Primaries, Publication of List of Candidates, both Chairmanship and Councillorship. CVR Exercise was suspended and new PVCs Printed, and are presently being collected at Area Council HQs plus an AMAC sub-office in Area 10. The total number of collected PVC as of 24th January 2022 is 103,68 while uncollected is 265,868, the breakdown is attached.
“Similarly, the Voter Register has been printed and soft copies presented to the Political Parties. Presently the PVC collection is ongoing in all the six (6) INEC Area Council offices. It will end on February 4th, 2022 after the ABIS was conducted, with the total number of registered Voters in the FCT standing at 1,373,492 showing a difference of 28,636.
“An analysis of the CVR shows that a total number of 21, 508 males and 21, 478 females were captured.
With regards to persons living with disabilities (PWD) statistics show 44 Albinos were registered.
“All of these in a bid to ensure inclusivity. You may recall the Expanded Voter Access to Polling Units that was conducted in April 2021, as a result of which our Polling Units rose from 871 to 2,822 presently. The presentation of the Register of Voters took place on January 12th at the Electoral Institute.
On that day, 12 the Political Parties vying for elective positions collected their register”, he noted.
INEC charges staff to brace up ahead of 2023 general elections
Bello noted that a timetable of training at various levels of engagements have been drawn and will take place accordingly adding that training of Security Personnel across the board commenced on 17th January – 18th for the 1st tier comprising 100 personnel. 19th and 20th witnessed the harvesting and training of another 120 personnel. This training will be cascaded down to the Area Council level.
He said the training of the SPOs will hold from the 31st to 1st January. That of POs and APOs is scheduled for 3rd to 5th February. For the latter, the REC has written to the Hon. Minister of the FCDA for the closure of the affected Secondary and Primary Schools which has been designated centres for these training.
On the issue of non-sensitive materials to the Area Councils and security agencies preparation to offer adequate security during the election, Bello stated:
“Distribution of non-sensitive materials to the Area Councils started in September 2021. In fact, on Saturday 15th January and Sunday 16th January 2022, my good self and the Administrative Secretary went round the Area Councils and were witness to the item received and batched and so far so good as of yesterday 25th, more than 75% was delivered to Area Councils
“We have met with members of ICCES to further discuss and profer ways of dealing with issues of security at elections and have aggregated the number of security needed for the FCT Area Council elections. This has been forwarded to the co-chair of ICCES, the CP who is expected to imbed it in his own election security planning in order to draw a roadmap on election security”, he said.
He maintained that since the opening of the portal on the 6th of December, they have been harvesting applications from interested candidates for the posts of SPO, PO, APO.
“After the closure of the portals on 7th of January, we were able to harvest our required number of SPOs which is 285 out of 638 that applied.
“Also, with the current number of PUs which is 2229 (less zero PUs), 8916 are required and we were able to harvest 10,510 (see attached).
In a nutshell, we have available our required number of Ad-hoc staff plus percentage contingency which will by the grace of God be trained for the conduct of the election.
Responding, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu commended the REC and the management team on preparation so far said the commission has done its best for the FCT poll to be free, fair and credible.
He said the FCT REC must do everything not to lower the bar of the standard INEC has carved for itself saying raising the standard remains what he wants to see and bear witness to on the day of the poll.
His words: “For us, we have done everything we are supposed to do for this election. What I need is for you to assure me and the voters in the federal capital that we have set the standards for conducting credible elections in Nigeria. The FCT Area Council election will not lower the bar. If anything, it will be an enhanced credible poll in the FCT.
“Just like the other two elections, we are going to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System for the election. By Friday, we will be done with the configuration of all the polling units in the FCT. We have the requisite number of staff that will respond in case of any glitches on election day. We have made adequate arrangements for transportation so that we can move around on election day.
“We upload the election results from the polling units. Will also declare the election results in the area councils. We have 475 candidates in the FCT. 17 out of 18 political parties are participating. And we have 475 candidates competing for 68 positions. The only part of Nigeria, FCT where INEC conduct LGA elections. And the only part of Nigeria where INEC conduct bye-elections in a local government election either by court order or death. And they have regularity and security of tenure.
“The Commission remain gender-sensitive and gender friendly. There are six Area councils or Local Government councils. And in each area council, we have an office. The REC has briefed us on the progress made. The headquarters has done what it is supposed to do. We will visit the wards, EOS and their assistants on the actual preparation on the ground. The FCT has six councils therefore it will elect six Chairmen. And 62 wards. Each of the six area councils has 10 wards except AMAC which has 12. And each ward is a constituency for the election of councillors”, INEC Chairman said.
