INEC sets up situation room, committees for 2023 presidential election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set up of the National Situation Room and Collation Centre for the 2023 general election in Nigeria.

Similarly, the electoral umpire announced the composition of two committees for the preparation of the election and collation of results during the period.

INEC’s National Commissioner & Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in a statement on Thursday, named the committees as the Collation Secretariat and Situation Room and Collation Centre Committee.

Okoye’s statement reads: “The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Thursday, 5th January 2023 and deliberated on several issues, including the venue for the National Situation Room and Collation Centre for the 2023 General Election.

“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 (ICC) 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.

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“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.

“The Committee has the following membership:

1. Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, National Commissioner – Chairperson

2. Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, National Commissioner – Member

3. Barr. Festus Okoye, National Commissioner – Member

4. Director, Electoral Operations – Member

5. Director, ICT – Member

6. Director, Planning and Monitoring – Member

7. Director, Security – Member

8. Director, Election & Party Monitoring – Member

9. Director, International Cooperation & Protocol – Member

10. Director, Research – Member

11. Director, Health Services – Member

12. Director, Estate, Works and Transport – Member

13. Chief Technical Adviser to the Chairman – Member

14. Special Adviser to the Chairman – Member

15. Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman – Member

16. Director, Commission Secretariat – Member/Secretary

“The Situation Room and Collation Centre Committee was inaugurated by the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who charged it to commence work in earnest and to discharge its responsibilities diligently.”