The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed optimism that its cash request to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will be fulfilled by Tuesday, 21 February 2023. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Committee on Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, told our correspondent on Sunday that the commission had previously submitted its cash requirement for the upcoming elections to the CBN due to a shortage of naira notes in circulation. While most payments are made through online transfers, certain services and staff categories still require cash payments.
When asked about the expected timeline for receiving the cash, Okoye said, “We are hopeful that the challenge of physical cash required for the payment of certain categories of staff and some services will be sorted out on or before Tuesday, the 21st of February 2023.” He also addressed concerns that the ongoing riots, fueled by cash scarcity, might affect voter turnout. Okoye affirmed that these challenges would not discourage registered voters from exercising their franchise.
“The question of maintaining law and order is outside the remit of the Independent National Electoral Commission,” he explained. “Section 215(3) of the Constitution assigns the Nigerian Police Force the responsibility for public safety and order. The commission does not have its own security arm and cannot deploy security operatives to the streets.” Nonetheless, INEC has taken steps to boost voter confidence, converting voting points and settlements into full‑fledged polling units and locating some closer to voters.
“The commission keeps improving with every election. Nigerians are looking forward to the 2023 elections and are ready to exercise their franchise,” Okoye said. “We are hopeful that the difficulties the nation is experiencing will not deter legally registered voters from showing up on election day. We want Nigerians to complement the preparations and efforts made by the commission by coming out to vote on election day.”
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