2023: INEC Signs Agreement With Transport Unions, Says It Needs 100,000 Vehicles, Over 4,000 Boats And Gunboats

As part of preparations for the 2023 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has signed an agreement with members of some transport unions over the provision of transport at the polls.

Naija News reports that the commission said it would be needing at least 100,000 vehicles, over 4,000 boats and gunboats for the conveyance of personnel and materials at the polls next year.

The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu to that effect entered an agreement with the National Road Transport Union of Nigeria (NURTW), the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) for effective logistics deployment.

The INEC boss in Abuja on Tuesday during the signing of the agreement appealed to the transporters to remain neutral, even as they render their services.

Naija News understands that preparation by the electoral umpire is in top gear as the commission has met with security chiefs, heads of civil society organisations, and leaders of various transport unions and heads of the transport unions in Lagos.

INEC and the transport unions have therefore sealed the agreement to provide transport logistics in the 2023 general elections.

Meanwhile, this platform earlier reported that INEC reiterated its stand on the use of mobile phones in voting cubicles during the conduct of the 2023 general election.

Naija News reports that Yakubu said smartphones would be prohibited during voting and that Nigerians are urged to report any cases of such by unscrupulous members of the public.

The INEC boss made the clarification in Abuja on Monday during a Stakeholders Summit it organised to address the Influence of money on the 2023 general elections.

He said “Let me seize this opportunity to remind the public that the ban on cell phones at voting cubicles is still in force. We have for some time now reorganised our polling units so that ballot boxes are placed next to the voting cubicles to forestall the practice of unscrupulous voters showing their marked ballot papers to vote-buyers.

“We appeal to voters to draw the attention of our polling officials whenever they observe that these basic rules are not complied with. Let me once again reassure Nigerians that we are determined to ensure a solid election management system and a legacy of credible elections in Nigeria. We believe that every conscientious Nigerian wants us to do so.”