INEC Interfaces with Transport Unions to Review Logistic Arrangements

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, met with Electoral Officers and Leaders of Transport Unions to review logistic arrangements.

Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, while speaking at the event in Abuja’s aid the engagement was part of the  post-election review meeting of the 2023 general election.

He  recalled that the meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) held two weeks ago, kick-started the review of the just concluded election.

Yakubu noted that the meeting with RECs was followed a week later by state level review meetings nationwide involving the regular staff and ad hoc officials of the commission.

“Today, we commence a more focused engagement at national level with the Commission’s frontline officials, the Electoral Officers (EOs). We also considered it appropriate to interface with transport providers to review logistic arrangements by inviting the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN),” he said.

The INEC boss said there was no doubt that the success of any election primarily depended on the ability to deploy personnel and materials to various locations.

He emphasised that the meeting, therefore, provided an opportunity to interact on a wide range of themes, covering ten critical areas highlighted for discussion, adding also that, in line with the Commission’s policy, when the review engagements were completed, a comprehensive report would be prepared.

“I, therefore, urge you to lend your wealth of experience to the discussions in order to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses for immediate improvement in forthcoming elections, especially the three off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States scheduled to hold on Saturday 11th November 2023,” he added.

Earlier,  Chairman, Planning, Monitoring and Strategic Committee (PMSC) Prof. Rhoda Gumus, said holding the meeting became imperative, after the successful conduct and conclusion of the 2023 general election.