2019: INEC, RECs brainstorm on voting by IDPs, PVCs

Among the issues discussed with the RECs were the progress made on the collection of outstanding Permanent Voter Cards by citizens as well as new modalities for a more efficient administration of the collection process. The meeting, according to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, would afford the RECs the opportunity to report on the outcome of the exercise in their various states. Other issues discussed were recruitment and training of election duty staff, ongoing review of the framework for voting by Internally Displaced Persons and additional assistive measures in support of persons with disabilities in the electoral process. The other agenda of the meeting included the examination of additional ways to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot against the menace of vote-buying at polling units; appraisal of issues relating to electoral logistics and general assessment of facilities and preparations for the general election. While condemning the attack on its personnel and vandalism of electoral materials by suspected political thugs during the recent by-election in Kwara State, the commission said it would work with the security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the incident. Mahmoud also confirmed the death of four INEC members of staff in Kogi State and one in Edo State as a result of road accidents last week. He said, “On a sad note, the commission lost four members of staff in Kogi State and one in Edo State to road accidents last week. Similarly, two of our staff survived road accidents in Katsina State during the by-election last weekend and one election duty staff suffered a head injury following attack by hoodlums who destroyed election materials at a polling unit in Kwara State.”]]>