The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Wednesday, assured Nigerians ahead of the 2023 general elections that there won’t be ballot stuffing and snatching by criminal elements as were the past in the country.
The INEC Administrative Secretary in Kaduna State, Alhaji Muhammed Mashi, said such cases had been rendered impossible by the electoral body.
Mashi said this when members of a non-governmental organisation, under the aegis of Integrity Group for Better Nigeria, paid a courtesy visit on him in Kaduna, the state capital.
According to him, Nigerians would be surprised and happy about the smooth conduct and outcome of the forthcoming general elections across the country.
The INEC scribe added that the state office had received both sensitive and non sensitive materials for the elections next year.
“With the new electoral reform Nigerians will be surprised and happy to see what will happen in 2023 election because it will be smooth and transparent, free and fair.
“Issue of ballot stuffing and snatching will not happen, and no voter can vote twice. The election will be smooth that if Mr. A wins the election, Mr. B will not hesitate to congratulate Mr. A, and vice versa.
“People who did multiple registration will be taken to court because it is criminal offence. Whoever perpetrated the offence will face the wrath of the law.
“We have started receiving both sensitive and insensitive materials for the 2023 elections. We are improving day by day.
“Those who did fresh registration and transfer of polling booths in July can go and collect their PVCs because they are ready,” he added.
Earlier in his address, the Convener of IGBN, Chief Patrick Lawson, had told the secretary that the group was impressed by the way INEC conducted Ekiti and Osun states governorship elections, urging the commission to maintain the tempo as well as improve upon it.
The IGBN boss said, “We are a non-governmental organisation group that is passionate about political development and progress of our dear country. We are in partnership with other organisations to ensure that religion and ethnicity should not be barriers to the nation’s unity.
“We are saying that we should rather look for a person that has the capacity to lead the country. So we want to partner with INEC to ensure transparency in the elections.
“So far INEC is doing well and it should continue to do well. We are pleased with INEC over the issue of PVCs as only those who registered can get the PVCs.
“We are happy that in recent time INEC has done so well, especially in the conduct of governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states. We are indeed impressed.”
