The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed worry about the perception of elections as a form of warfare by Nigerian politicians.
Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, made this observation during the inauguration of the Election Crisis Communication Team (ECCT) organized by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) on Monday, August 29. He emphasized the need to strengthen the communication system of the commission despite the extensive media coverage it receives.
Okoye highlighted the intense nature of electoral contests, stating that “elections are almost akin to war,” and stressed the importance of acknowledging the under-reported efforts made by the commission. He cited various factors such as misinterpretation by the public, inadequate understanding of the commission’s work, and political positioning as contributing to the prevailing misrepresentation of the commission.
In addition, Okoye disclosed that the 2023 elections will involve the election of candidates for 1,491 constituencies, including one presidential constituency, 28 governorship elections, 109 senatorial districts, 360 federal constituencies, and 993 state assembly seats.
He further outlined the logistical challenges faced by INEC in preparing for the elections, including recruiting and training staff, managing the deployment logistics to 176,846 polling units, and ensuring the printing and collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by registered voters. Considering the projected voter population of approximately 95 million for the 2023 general election, Okoye emphasized the exceptional efforts required despite the geographical challenges and inadequate transportation systems in the country.