The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that it is working closely with major network service providers in the country to ensure a seamless conduct of the upcoming elections.
The major providers involved in the collaboration include MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9Mobile, News About Nigeria reports.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed that the commission has taken sufficient measures to safeguard its systems and processes against malicious attacks.
“We have taken sufficient steps to fortify and protect our systems and processes. I must also say we are leaving certain things when it comes to cybersecurity to ourselves because the walls have ears, but Nigerians should rest assured that we are aware that our resources may be susceptible to attacks, but we have taken measures,” he said.
He further reiterated that INEC has vast experience in transmitting election results in real-time through the iREV, and the BVAS requires online process only at the point of polling unit uploading.
The BVAS is not an electronic voting machine, Yakubu explained, adding that it would not operate online on election day as it is completely offline. He stated that the commission has the capacity to respond to any challenges that may arise during the polls.
Addressing the issue of the omission of the Labour Party logo on House of Representatives ballot papers in Lagos, Yakubu assured Nigerians that the commission has a record of obedience to court orders and that the legal office has been tasked to look at all the judgments received from the party.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, revealed that over 425,106 security operatives would be deployed for the elections to ensure a secured electoral process. The personnel were drawn from various security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Commission, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Correctional Service, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Baba also disclosed that orderlies attached to Very Important Personalities would be withdrawn during the polls, and even if they escorted them to the voting centres, they should stay at a distance for the VIP to cast their votes before escorting them back.
“Just like in any other election, we expect our VIPs to drop their bodyguards/orderlies that are armed in escorting them to the polling stations. Even if they escort them, they should stop or stay at a distance so that the person can cast his votes and leave with his aides,” he said.
