Ahead of the 2023 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission has established a National Situation Room and Collation Centre where the results of presidential elections will be collated.
According to the commission, the International Conference Centre, Abuja, will serve as the venue for the exercise.
This was contained in a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Thursday.
The statement read “As general elections approach, the commission establishes a National Situation Room and Collation Centre where the results of presidential elections are collated. Once again, the International Conference Centre in Abuja will serve as the venue for this important exercise.
Accordingly, the commission has established two committees for this purpose. First is the Collation Secretariat, where Presidential results from the States will be collated. This will be headed by the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in exercising his constitutional responsibilities as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation and Returning Officer for the Presidential election. In addition, a few technical staff will assist him.
“The second is the Situation Room and Collation Centre Committee, which shall be responsible for the preparation of the venue, seating arrangement, utilities and services, security, the accreditation of party agents, as well as the national and international observers, media, etc.”
Also, INEC said the movement of Permanent Voter Cards to the wards will commence on Friday.
In a separate statement, Okoye said those who applied for replacement of lost, damaged, or defaced PVCs can collect their PVCs at the registration area/wards during this period.
According to the statement, the exercise will revert to the local government offices of the commission on January 15.
INEC, therefore, urged validly registered voters who are yet to collect their PVCs to seize the opportunity of the devolution to the wards to do so.
The statement read “The devolution of PVC collection to the wards commences on January 6, 2023, and all validly registered voters who are yet to collect their PVCs are encouraged to seize the opportunity of the devolution to the wards to do so.
“After January 15, 2023, the exercise will revert to the local government offices of the commission until January 22, 2023.”