In spite of the prevailing security challenges across the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission says there is no going back in the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
INEC, Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who disclosed this in Abuja at the public presentation of the 2022-2026 strategic plan and the 2023 Election Project Plan said the documents were the third in the series of strategic election plans since 2012.
He said the Commission is determined to carry out its civic responsibility irrespective of the threat posed by insecurity as it will continue to engage relevant security agencies to ensure the safety of it’s personnel, materials, accredited observers, the media and the voters.
The INEC boss noted that next year polls will be conducted in 1,491 constituencies nationwide made up of one presidential constituency, 109 senatorial districts, 360 federal constituencies, 28 governorship elections and 993 state constituencies.
Prof. Yakubu also said the election will be governed by a new Electoral Act 2022, which contains many progressive provisions that will enhance the capacity of the commission to conduct elections and manage the electoral process better.
He further pointed out that the poll will involve an estimated one million electoral officials which include permanent and temporary as well as ad hoc staff deployed to 176,846 polling units in 8,809 Wards and 774 Local Government Areas across the country.
Some stakeholders spoke on their support towards the strategic plan to ensure credible elections.
Some critical recommendations for the successful implementation of the EPP is timely procurement of election materials and services, changing of management training and institutional capacity building and inventory, storage and state of election materials and equipment among others.
