The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reminded Nigerians that it is 100 days from now to the Presidential and National Assembly Elections slated Saturday, 25th February, 2023.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman, who gave the reminder, reiterated that there is no going back in the deployment of Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systern (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to ensure “free, fair, credible and verifiable elections supported by technology which guarantees transparent accreditation and upload of polling unit results for citizens to view in real-time on Election Day”
He urged Nigerians to make good use of the opportunity provided by the ongoing display of the Register of Voters for claims and objections, as well as collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs].
He also called on political parties and political leaders to conduct their campaigns peacefully, eschewing divisiveness, rancour and violence.
The full text the statement reads:
A MESSAGE FROM THE INEC CHAIRMAN
100 DAYS TO THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION —
It is exactly 100 days today before polling units open at 8.30am on Saturday 25th February 2023 for national elections (Presidential and National Assembly) and two weeks later on Saturday 11th March 2023 for State elections (Governorship and State Houses of Assembly}.
One again, another General Election is upon us, the 7th since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, Over the last 23 years, we have made a steady progress in the twin areas of electoral reform and election administration. Although, a lot of work still lies ahead, it is generally acknowledged that our actions are getting better and citizens confidence in the processes increasing.
As I have said repeatedly the Commission’s allegiance is to Nigeria. Our loyalty is to Nigerians who want free, fair, credible and verifiable elections supported by technology which guarantees transparent accreditation and upload of polling unit resuits for citizens to view in real-time on Election Day. It is for these reasons that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systern (BVAS and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) were Introduced. There is no going back on the deployment of BVAS and IRev for the 2023 General Election.
‘Similarly, we will continue with our regular engagement with political parties, civil society organisations, the media and other critical stakeholders. Above all, Nigerians deserve the right to know about the progress we are making and the challenges (if any} we confront in our preparations for the General Election. Accordingly, in a couple of weeks, the Commission will start bi-weekly media briefings followed by weekly briefings as we get closer to the election in the week leading to the election, there will be daily briefings.
| seize this opportunity to call on all citizens to participate fully in all electoral activities, particularly the ongoing display of the Register of Voters for claims and objections, as well as collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs]. | also call on political parties and political leaders to conduct their campaigns peacefully, eschewing divisiveness, rancour and violence,
As Nigerians are aware, election is a multi-stakeholder activity. We will continue to play our part diligently and conscientiously We appeal to all stakeholders and, above all, citizens to play their own part so that working together we can have the elections that Nigerians yearn for, and which the world expects from us.
-Prof, Mahmood Yakubu,
INEC Chairman
