The Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC has expressed confidence in the ability of INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu to conduct free, fair and credible election using Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS and INEC Result Viewing Portal, IREV for the general election.
The IPAC Chairman, Alhaji Yagbagi Sani, stated this in Abuja after an Emergency General Council Meeting of leaders of the eighteen registered political parties organised to evaluate emerging threats to the 2023 general election
Alhaji Sani, said despite attacks on the commission’s offices in some parts of the country which destroyed sensitive, non-sensitive electoral materials and other properties, including Zamfara, Imo, Ebonyi, Ogun, Osun, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Jigawa, FCT, Ondo, Abia States.
He also noted that the huge costs in replacing them immediately, INEC had remained resolute, and courageous in deploying technology in the conduct of the general election.
He said the entire political chairmen under IPAC, at the meeting reaffirmed their confidence in INEC to conduct the 2023 elections and that the commission’s position on deployment of technology in the conduct of the 2023 general election was in tandem with the stance of IPAC.
‘’IPAC is satisfied with the preparations, arrangements and measures taken so far by the commission to conduct free, fair, credible and transparent, inclusive, peaceful and generally acceptable elections, particularly its decision to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System ,BVAS and to the INEC Result Viewing Portals ,IReV for uploading the polling unit results in real-time on election day.‘’
Alhaji Sani said IPAC would resist any attempt to jeopardize the ongoing electoral process that would deepen and strengthen the nation’s democracy.
He called on Nigerians to take steps to protect and defend the hard earned democracy since May 29, 1999 by doing away with election malpractices.
Represented by the IPAC’s National Secretary, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, said IPAC was concerned about the level of insecurity in the country
In a remark, the National Chairman of Zenith Labour Party and its Presidential Candidate, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, said the decision to support INEC was a collective one and urged all candidates to embark on effective campaign as well as adequate preparation for the elections.
The National Chairman of Accord Party, Alhaji Lawan Nalado expressed confidence that the use of technology would bring more credibility to the nation’s electoral process.