We have no candidate in 2023 general election - INEC boss
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reassured that it will not support any candidate or political party in the 2023 general election, as it is only interested in the electoral process.
From Left: INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu with the Director-General, The Electoral Institute (TIE), Dr Sa’ad Idris, addressing the SPOs for 2023 general elections on Saturday in Abuja.
Recommended articles
Yakubu urged them to be committed to their oath of neutrality and allegiance to Nigeria.
He advised them not to see their job as service to INEC but to the country as a whole in which they were equal stakeholders.
“The commission is determined that the 2023 general election will be a best ever and you are the people that will help the commission to make it happen and help to ensure that Nigeria has a pleasant experience on election day.
ADVERTISEMENT
“INEC is not a political party. INEC has no candidate in the election. Our only interest is in the processes. The choice of who becomes what in Nigeria is left to the Nigerian people to decide,” he said.
Yakubu described the work of the SPOs as critical to success of the 2023 general election, urging them to uphold integrity of the process.
“You are the people who supervise those who will work at the most important level, the Polling Units (PUs) level. That is the only place where voting take place.
“The collation officers at the polling units level are collating results from the PUs. When collation officers at the PU go to the local government level, they are collating results from the PUs.
“When it goes to the state level they are collating results from the PUs and when they come to Abuja, where we collate the presidential result it would have passed through all these processes.
ADVERTISEMENT
“So, by the time the results come to Abuja, Nigerians would have known the outcome of the election,” he said.
Yakubu added: “Our responsibility is simply to collate. So you are playing very critical role. What will help you help the commission, help Nigerians and the electoral process is your Integrity as individuals.”
He said that the training was going on simultaneously in all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He said that the training was a further reassurance to Nigerians of INEC readiness to conduct election on Feb. 25 and March 11.
“Today we are commencing the training of the most critical staff for the 2023 general election. Between today and tomorrow, we will train the PSOs.
ADVERTISEMENT
“In the FCT we require 282 SPOs but we are training more than that no. We have added 70 to make it a total of 352 in case some are unable to make it on election day for one reason or another, we have a buffer.
“What is happening in FCT is happening in all the 36 days of the federation at the same time.
“Between today Feb. 11 and tomorrow Feb. 12, we will train the SPOs. Then on Tuesday the Feb. 14 to Thursday Feb. 16, we will train the Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers (APO) 1, 2 and 3,” he said.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
33 states at high risk of flooding problems between July and September
71-year-old Putin extends reign as Russian president to 2030, sworn in for 5th term
Sanwo-Olu wants Lagosians to be friendly to corps members
Governor Adeleke vows to invest in Ile-Ife and restore its lost glory
Tech industry gets green push as NGO unveils eco-friendly initiative
Senate creates committee to investigate Abuja Centenary City project delay
NNPC assures over 30-day fuel supply, urges motorists against panic buying
Presidency gives fresh update on Tinubu's return date from foreign trip
Adeleke laments poor infrastructure, promises to revive Ile-Ife's legacy
Pulse Sports
Chelsea set to offer Romelu Lukaku and cash for Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen
Mikel Obi: Super Eagles legend goes viral speaking Hausa
Anthony Joshua: Nigerian-born boxer teams up with Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell and Cuppy in France
ADVERTISEMENT