The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday reassured Nigerians that its allegiance and loyalty are to citizens in the 2023 General Election.
The INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, gave the assurance at the opening of a two-day Induction retreat organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Lagos for the commission’s Administrative Secretaries.
Professor Yakubu, who was represented by the INEC National Commissioner for Election and Party Monitoring Committee, Sam Olumekun, warned the commission’s staff to be neutral during the General Election.
“Let me repeat once again that the commission’s allegiance is to Nigeria,” he said.
“Our loyalty is to Nigerians who want free, fair, credible, and verifiable elections.
“It is in this respect that I want to warn all members of staff of the commission to be neutral and professional in their conduct during the forthcoming election.”
Professor Yakubu said knowledge and experience have aided INEC in improving voter experience.
“Our elections have become better, electoral outcomes less contentious and less stressful, ” he added.
“Most Nigerians are now familiar with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) which doubles as a device for accreditation as well as upload of the Polling Unit level result sheets to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal on election day.
“The combination of the BVAS and the IReV portal has come to stay as a means of voter accreditation and transmission of election results.
The retreat was attended by all the INEC Administrative Secretaries and the top management staff of the commission.
