By Shola Oshunkeye
In his first press briefing at the national collation centre, Abuja, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, enthused that the process was running well despite hiccups in certain areas.
Flanked by two of his Commissioners, Prof. Yakubu declared that despite observed and observable challenges, the process was “So far, so good, generally speaking”.
The progress was even significant when taken into consideration the fact that “This is the first time since 2011 when election has not been postponed.”
The INEC boss was particularly happy that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, which the Commission introduced in 2021 to read Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and authenticate voters, was working well despite the fact that it was the first time the biometric technology was being deployed nationwide in a general election.
“BVAS has been functioning optimally,” he said.
He, however, highlighted some areas of challenges as collated from field reports.
Major among them, he noted, was that some polling units opened late but assured that “in line with our policy, no polling unit will close until the last person on the queue has voted.”
He also spoke on the perennial security issues that had been dogging Nigeria national elections in the last three electoral cycle.
Prof. Yakubu noted, for instance, the case of a local government area in Niger State where the commission couldn’t deploy early because bandits launched an attack. And they had to delay deployment on the advice of security agencies.
There was also the case of Oshimili Local Government Area in Delta State where thugs attacked a polling unit and snatched two BVAS machines. Happily, INEC responded speedily and replaced the stolen BVAS and the process commenced.
The case was similar in a local government in Katsina State where thugs struck and snatched six BVAS machine. But three were speedily recovered and the other three replaced; and the process began.
Prof. Yakubu also spoke on the situation in Abia State where deployment took place late. “We are aware,” he said, assuring that, “Voters will vote, no matter how long it takes.”
He also commented on the case of Imo State, observing that there were issues in four local government areas-Okigwe, Uguta, Osu, and Orlu. “We had a discussion with the Inspector General of Police and the military authorities this morning on the security concerns in these difficult areas,” he informed. “I expect voting will take place. But if it doesn’t, we will arrange for people to vote.”
The INEC boss also commented on the situation in Gwoza, a border town located at about 135 kilometres South-East of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where Boko Haram terrorists launched an attack, shooting at INEC ad-hoc staff and people from a mountain range.
But he said there was no cause for alarm as the situation was under control.
Prof. Yakubu also reacted to complaints by some political parties that their polling agents were not accredited. He explained that parties were long advised to visit the INEC portal established for registering polling agents but some parties never did till the deadline lapsed. Some of the parties therefore resorted to self-help, printing accreditation letters purportedly endorsed/issued by INEC. But Yakubu said no such letter emanated from INEC.
He, therefore, alerted the parties that “only INEC-accredited collation agents will be admitted into the national collation centre” as the process inched towards that crucial stage of collation of results.