Lagos, Nigeria – Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmoud Yakubu, revealed that the recent flood disaster affected over 4,000 Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines at the commission’s office. Speaking at the opening of a two-day induction retreat for Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Monday, Yakubu noted that although 3,500 of the machines had been recovered, the state still faced a shortage for the upcoming elections.
INEC’s Response and Future Plans
To address the shortfall, INEC plans to seek additional support from neighboring states to ensure sufficient BVAS machines are available for the election. Yakubu emphasized that the retreat was not only an induction for new appointees but also a platform to review performance, discuss innovations, and engage with service providers and lawmakers on critical reforms.
Induction and Review Retreats
Yakubu highlighted the importance of these retreats, citing previous sessions held for new National Commissioners, election logistics, and the review of the 2023 general elections. The current retreat aims to induct 10 new RECs and prepare them for upcoming re-run and bye-elections.
Upcoming Elections and Reforms
INEC is preparing for four major elections before 2027, including the Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun governorship elections. Yakubu stated that the commission is committed to implementing reforms and innovations to ensure credible elections. He also mentioned plans to intensify engagement with the National Assembly for necessary legal reforms.
The proactive steps taken by INEC demonstrate its dedication to overcoming challenges and improving the electoral process in Nigeria.