INEC seeks NAF collaboration for logistics management ahead of Saturday’s polls

INEC seeks NAF collaboration for logistics management ahead of Saturday’s polls

Joel Oladele, Abuja

Ahead of the re-run and bye-elections slated for Saturday February 3, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sought the support of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for the effective delivery of election materials.

The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu made this appeal on Monday during a visit to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hansan Abubakar in Abuja.

Yakubu while commending NAF for their huge contribution to the success of 2023 general elections, especially in the area of security and logistics, noted that the election will be taking places in 575 Registration Areas/Wards and 8,934 Polling Units across the country.

He described election as a huge national responsibility that requires a joint effort of stakeholders, of which NAF is one.

“This weekend, the Commission will conduct bye-elections and re-run elections in 26 States of the Federation. In nine States, two Senators, four members of the House of Representatives and three members of State Houses of Assembly will be elected in bye-elections to replace members who passed on or resigned their memberships of the national and State Assemblies. 

“In other States, re-run elections will take place at designated constituencies or Polling Units as ordered by the Election Appeal Tribunals. In all the elections will fill vacancies in three Senatorial Districts, 17 Federal and 28 State Constituencies spread across 80 Local Government Areas, 575 Registration Areas/Wards and 8,934 Polling Units involving 4,904,627 registered voters out of which 4,613,291 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) have been collected.

“In handling such a huge national assignment, the Commission cannot do it alone. That is why we seek to mobilise every national asset, including NAF. It is in realisation of this objective that the law empowers the Commission to seek the support of the security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies in the delivery of materials and the protection of election officials as clearly provided for in Section 27(3) of the Electoral Act 2022,” Yakubu state.

He added that the Commission is working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to deliver materials to many locations. “However, given the size and distance of some constituencies, we seek for the support of NAF to expeditiously deliver materials to three locations in the North East, South East and the South West geo-political zones of the country. We have already indicated to the Chief of the Air Staff the specific locations and the tonnage of materials to be airlifted.

“The evacuation of the materials from the focal airports to the States where election will hold will be handled by the Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria as has been the standard practice. 

“Thereafter, the inspection and movement of all materials to the various Local Government Areas and beyond will be done with the full participation of all stakeholders, particularly agents of political parties and candidates, observers and the media in a transparent manner,” he clarified.

In his reaction, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hansan Abubakar commended INEC for delivering an improved election in 2023 and expressed willingness to keep supporting the Commission in order to strengthen democracy in the country.

“I would like to commend Mr Chairman for the numerous initiatives which have occurred under your watch. Some of which included continuous voter registration, introduction of new technologies, voter education and sensitization and post-election reviews. 

“Another laudable milestone achieved was the Electoral Act of 2022, which introduced reforms aimed at more timely organization of pre-electoral processes and increasing transparency in results collation and reporting. These and many more reforms have raised the bar of transparency and credibility in our electoral process. We thus join the chorus of voices commending your efforts and stand proud as friends of your esteemed organisation.

“The successful conduct of elections is largely hinged on robust security and well-choreographed logistics supply chain management. The Nigerian Air Force has been INEC’s dependable partner in providing security in addition to rapid airlift for the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials across the country. I assure you that we remain willing, able and ready to continue supporting INEC as we have always done in the past,” Hansan promised.