The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, reported that a recent flood in their Edo State office damaged over 4,000 Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.
Prof. Yakubu made this announcement during the commencement of a two-day induction retreat for Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Lagos State on Monday.
Despite this significant setback, Yakubu highlighted that the commission has managed to recover more than 3,500 of the affected machines. However, he voiced concerns that the remaining machines in Edo State might be insufficient for future elections, suggesting the possibility of seeking additional resources from neighboring states.
Yakubu also spoke about the induction retreat’s broader significance. Beyond mere orientation, the retreat serves as a platform for reviewing performance, reassessing processes, discussing innovations, and collaborating with service providers. He stressed the necessity of engaging with lawmakers to drive critical reforms and improve the commission’s capacity for effective service delivery.
Reflecting on recent events, Yakubu mentioned previous retreats held for various groups within INEC and highlighted forthcoming electoral challenges. He pointed out the upcoming elections in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun states, reaffirming INEC’s dedication to implementing administrative reforms swiftly and advocating for essential legal reforms through ongoing engagement with the National Assembly.