The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has chosen the International Conference Centre in Abuja as the national situation room and collation centre for the 2023 presidential election.
In a statement made on January 5, 2023, Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, declared.
Here’s an excerpt from the announcement: “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.”
According to a second announcement released by the electoral board, PVC collection has been temporarily relocated to wards and registration regions.
The one-week ward-level exercise would begin on Friday, January 6, 2023. The exercise will be held again at the commission’s regional offices on Sunday, January 15, 2023.
You can read an excerpt from the statement here: “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.”
On Saturday, February 25, 2023, voters will head to the polls to choose the next president.