The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, has revealed that a recent flood disaster affected over 4000 Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines at their offices.
He disclosed this during the opening of a two-day induction retreat for Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Lagos State on Monday.
Despite the setback, Yakubu announced that the commission had successfully recovered more than 3,500 of the machines.
However, he expressed concerns that the remaining machines in the affected state might not suffice for upcoming elections, hinting at a need for additional support from neighboring states.
Regarding the induction retreat, Yakubu emphasised its significance beyond orientation, highlighting its role in reviewing performance, reassessing processes, discussing innovations, and engaging with service providers.
He underscored the importance of interfacing with lawmakers to drive critical reforms and enhance organizational capacity for better service delivery.
Yakubu also reflected on recent activities, noting previous retreats held for various groups within INEC and outlining upcoming electoral challenges.
He mentioned upcoming elections in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun states, stressing INEC’s commitment to implementing administrative reforms promptly and advocating for necessary legal reforms through engagement with the National Assembly.
