Exclusive: INEC Under Pressure To Deliver Hitch-free CVR

BY EDMOND ODOK – Ahead of the planned commencement of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) with the online version on Monday, June 28, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is hard pressed to ensure a smooth and hitch-free exercise.

Competent sources said with less than 24 hours to open the online portal for public access, the Commission is still battling to strike the right chord in its preparations and arrangements.

According to insiders, given issues that have trailed the Electoral body’s handling of its online portals’ activities in recent past, relevant officials are reportedly under pressure and working round the clock in their resolve to get things right this time around.

Forefront reliably gathered that to remove the dust and stains gathered during the failed electronic/online portal collation of the 2019 presidential elections results as well as the huge challenges faced by most eligible voters in transferring their details to new states of residence, the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu gave the marching orders that delivering a perfectly workable exercise will not be compromised.

“The test-run, aimed at ensuring we get things done right and meet the Commission’s set target, has been ongoing and the Chairman consistently harped on us having a near-flawless exercise that Nigerians should by proud to identify with”, one of our reliable source volunteered.

Another insider with the ICT team told Forefront that; “The Commission is working assiduously to make the portal user friendly in terms of data accuracy in required fields; Password reset; functional back end platform support; and profile setting for all registrants among other issues.”

Asking for understanding with assurances that things are being done differently this time around, the official said; “With the upgrade enjoyed by most of our ICT facilities and the training empowerment of officials, the stage is set to give Nigerians a refreshingly smooth and hitch-free exercise.”

The official also assured that all necessary measures have been put in place to guard against possible sabotage or compromise of the system by hackers and other criminal elements.

Another competent source further confirmed that with the level of preparation and baring any unforeseen situation, the official boasted that there will be no hiccups as the Commission has worked tirelessly for the nationwide online registration to flag-off seamlessly on Monday with the physical registration at local and State government offices still maintaining the July 19, 2021 date.

At a news conference that saw the launch of INEC’s online portal for the CVR exercise in Abuja on June 24, Prof Yakubu had explained that the decision was reached after consultations with stakeholders in view of current security concerns in the country.

The Chairman said the development is against the backdrop the backdrop of recent attacks on some INEC offices and facilities across the country.

He stated that with the offices burnt or vandalised, it clearly showed the attackers were out to undermine the Electoral umpire’s capabilities and capacity to organise elections and other electoral activities, including the CVR.

Prof Mahmoud said in a statement at the occasion that; “Luckily, only buildings, equipment and materials have been destroyed. Although the attacks have subsided, the Commission is still deeply worried by the threat that they can pose to registrants and our staff during the CVR.

“As a result of this profound concern, the commission has made representations to government; and had several discussions with stakeholders; including security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) political parties, civil society organisations and the media.

“During these consultations, we shared our plans, hopes and concerns; regarding the security threat that we currently face.”

“From the consultations, the stakeholders reached a consensus; that it is important for the Commission to place a high premium on securing lives of registrants and staff; as well as the protection of the expensive registration equipment to be deployed for the exercise”, the INEC boss noted