The Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee, INEC, is to evaluation using Everlasting Voters’ Playing cards, PVC, as the only real technique of identification for voter accreditation on election day.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja, on the fee’s assembly with Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, and unveiling of the hardcopies Election Report, and the Evaluation Report on 2023 basic election.
Mr Yakubu stated that the intention for the evaluation adopted among the suggestions contained within the evaluation stories.
He stated that the fee believed that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), using the PVC, as the only real technique of identification for voter accreditation on election day ought to be reviewed.
“Those that have already got the PVCs can nonetheless use them to vote, however going ahead, computer-generated slips issued to the voter and even downloaded from the fee’s web site, will suffice for voter accreditation.
“This won’t solely save price, it’ll additionally remove the problems across the assortment of PVCs and the diabolical follow of shopping for up the playing cards from voters, with a purpose to disenfranchise them,” he stated.
Mr Yakubu stated that having launched its 524-page fundamental report on the election, INEC had vast inner session with its officers and externally, with all main stakeholders.
He stated that from the interior and exterior engagements, INEC recognized 142 suggestions coping with varied features of election, out of which 86 required administrative motion by INEC.
“That is adopted by 48 suggestions that require motion by a wide range of stakeholders, together with safety businesses; cell community operators; statutory our bodies; political events; transport unions; civil society organisations and the media.
“On the authorized evaluation, there are eight suggestions that require legislative motion by the Nationwide Meeting. Very quickly, the fee will make a presentation to the Joint Committee of the Senate and Home of Representatives on Electoral Issues, as they proceed to deliberate on electoral reform.
“Among the many main highlights of the fee’s suggestions is the crucial of authorized readability in end result administration, with regard to guide switch versus the digital transmission of outcomes,” INEC chairman stated.
Mr Yakubu additionally disclosed that the evaluation report additionally contained suggestions on early/particular voting for the thousands and thousands of Nigerians who don’t vote in the intervening time, on account of the roles they play throughout elections.
In line with him, the classes of the folks embody INEC officers, safety personnel, adhoc workers, observers and journalists, who’re deployed exterior the locations the place they registered to vote.
He stated that there have been additionally suggestions in assist of diaspora voting, the unbundling of the fee with the institution of electoral offences tribunal, and a separate company to deal with the registration and regulation of political events.
“Equally, the fee will step up motion on voter entry and distribution to Polling Models.
“As a matter of urgency, the fee additionally intends to develop protocols for the cleansing up of the voters’ register, in collaboration with different businesses such because the Nationwide Id Administration Fee (NIMC) and the Nationwide Inhabitants Fee (NPC).
“Different areas of reform embody advocacy for affirmative motion for better participation of under-represented teams, a extra strong voter training and public communication to fight faux information and misinformation.
“Moreover, the fee intends to evaluation the mechanisms for a more practical implementation of agreements on logistics with the transport unions and different service suppliers.
“This shall be performed by consolidating on the current expertise with early deployment and graduation of elections within the current Ondo State Governorship election,” Yakubu stated.
He stated that with the conclusion of 5 main off-cycle governorship elections and 9 out of 21 bye-elections because the 2023 Common Election, INEC believed it was time to start the implementation of the suggestions arising from the evaluation of the overall election.
Mr Yakubu stated that the softcopy of the report can be uploaded on INEC’s web site in earnest.
NAN
