INEC: Why we can’t release timetable, schedule for 2023 general elections now

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will release the  Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Elections as soon as the Electoral Amendment Bill currently before the National Assembly, is signed into law.

The chairman of the commission, Prof.Mahmood Yakubu, who stated this in Abuja on Tuesday, said the passage of the bill is crucial to its preparations for future elections.

While speaking at the first quarterly meeting with political parties for the year 2022, Yakubu said he is encouraged by the Senate President’s assurance to give priority attention to the Bill and the commitment by the President to assent to the Bill as soon as the issue of mode of primaries by political parties is resolved.

“We look forward to a speedy passage of the Bill, which is crucial to our preparations for future elections. As soon as it is signed into law, the Commission will quickly release the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election based on the new law,” he said.

He explained that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be deployed in the FCT elections which is the second major election after the Anambra Governorship election held in November last year.

“The 68 constituencies in the FCT (six Chairmen and 62 Councillors) covering extensive urban and rural locations sharing a border with five States in the North Central and North Western parts of the country is another opportunity to pilot the efficacy of the BVAS in a different geographical, geopolitical and electoral context.

“The same technology will be deployed in all forthcoming bye-elections across the country. For all elections going forward, Polling Unit results will be uploaded in real-time to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal,” he said.

He warned political parties against conducting primaries outside their states and constituencies.

He said, “In the cases of Ekiti and Osun State Governorship elections, any primaries conducted outside the two states will not be monitored by the Commission and their outcomes will not be accepted.

“This also applies to primaries for bye-elections conducted outside the constituencies.”