By Ezeocha Nzeh

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said that it will continue to deploy full election technology in the conduct its elections as a test to prepare itself total deployment during the 2023 election

There has been growing concern from stakeholders that President Muhammadu Buhari may for the second time, withhold assent to the reworked Electoral Bill which was transmitted to him last week by the National Assembly

The commission insisted that it will also deploy the use of technology in next weekend’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, who made the disclosure at the stakeholders meeting organised by the FCT Administration ahead of the poll, emphasised that both the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which has already been configured and INEC Result Viewing portal (IReV) will be use at the polls

 “With regard to election technology for voter accreditation, the Commission has reviewed the performance of BVAS in the recent Anambra State governorship election. Lessons learnt from that election have been considered in planning for the Area Council elections. The BVAS have been configured and ready to deploy for the election.

“We have also made adequate arrangements for technical support and transportation to speedily respond in the unlikely event of glitches on Election Day. Similarly, election results will be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing portal (IReV) in real-time when voting ends and votes are counted at polling units on Election Day,” he said.

While frowning at the various litigation that have trailed the eligibility of candidates for the election, Prof Yakubu said: “The 2022 FCT Area Council Election is not without its fair share of litigations. Right now, there are eight cases in court challenging the nomination or educational qualification of candidates. Some of the cases are already before the Supreme Court.

“However, contrary to the Commission’s experience in previous elections around the country, there are no conflicting judgments or orders by courts of coordinate jurisdiction anywhere on the forthcoming FCT elections.”

Prof Yakubu also commended the political parties, stressing: “The Commission is happy with the behaviour of parties and candidates in the FCT. So far, there are no adverse reports of clashes between supporters of different parties and not many incidents of hate or inciting speeches as they canvass for votes,” he stated