INEC meets with NURTW and admits that gasoline crisis may have an impact on elections

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has stated that the commission’s plans for Election Day may be adversely impacted by the country’s lack of fuel.

On Tuesday, the INEC chairman met with the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Abuja.

The purpose of the meeting, according to the INEC boss, was to put the finishing touches on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by INEC and NURTW on December 20, 2022, and to reach an agreement on the modalities for vehicle certification by the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in light of the emphasis we place on the safety of election personnel and materials.

Professor Yakubu stated that logistics has long been a source of contention in Nigerian election management.

He stated that the INEC has been working with road transport unions to address the issue for three electoral cycles now.

The INEC has now announced the inclusion of the Marine Workers’ Union of Nigeria, MWUN, for effective maritime transportation.

“The moment has come to put an end to all excuses and provide effective logistics to ensure smooth operations on Election Day,” he stated.

He stated that this time, Nigerians should not travel to the voting stations to wait for the arrival of personnel and equipment, but rather the other way around.

“The Commission recognizes the enormity of the undertaking. “Election is the largest deployment a nation does on a regular basis, and mobilizing cars for election is a large and complex activity,” he noted.

The INEC chief reminded the union that because its members are dispersed across the country, there should be no inter-state travel, and that the MoU between the two entities includes both forward and reverse logistics.

He told them that they would be safe at this time, adding that INEC is working with security agencies to ensure their safety.

“The Commission shares your worry about the country’s gasoline situation and its impact on transportation on Election Day,” he said.

“The truth is that the lack of goods availability may have a negative impact on our arrangement. As a result, the Commission will meet with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, this afternoon to discuss ways to improve the situation.”