The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Wednesday that it was not planning to change or modify the schedule for the upcoming elections. The electoral body stressed that it will under no circumstances permit anti-democratic elements and fifth columnists to mislead the Nigerian people about the Commission's goals and intentions.

The clarification was necessary in light of the report of a national newspaper that the electoral board was considering delaying the presidential vote by two weeks due to recent attacks it had experienced, particularly in the south-east. Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner for Publicity and Voter Education, responded to the report by saying that the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had repeatedly and emphatically reassured the nation that the dates set for the conduct of the 2023 general election were set and firm.

Okoye emphasized that 12 of the 14 items on the Commission's timeline and program of activity have been implemented. He stated that the Bi-modal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) required for the conduct of the election in the 176,846 polling locations has been tested and declared fit for purpose. He also emphasized that the Commission would employ 436 of these for mock accreditation at 12 polling locations in each of the 36 states and the federal capital, Abuja. The anticipated date for this is February 4, 2023. "Thereafter, they will be cleaned up and prepared for the 2023 general election" he continued.

The Commissioner also said that the non-sensitive election-related materials are available in the states and zonal stores and in line with the registration areas, they are being grouped. The Central Bank of Nigeria has received a substantial portion of the sensitive materials that the Commission needs to conduct the poll and a few days before being moved to the Commission's various Local Government Offices, the papers will be examined by the Commission, the political parties, the media, and civil society organizations.

Okoye emphasized that the Commission's Memorandum of Understanding with the various transport and marine unions has been updated and strengthened. In addition to hiring at least 100,000 automobiles, he emphasized that INEC would also hire boats for the same reason in order to transport electoral staff and materials.

Recalling that the Commission had met with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited's top executives, He said that they had reassured the commission that products would be available during the time period, and the Commission had been inspired by this. He revealed that INEC also spoke with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who oversaw the federal courts, and received assurances from him that the judiciary was prepared for the polls.

He concluded that with all these in place, the speculation linked to the postponing or rescheduling of the election is unjustified. In his words, “The Commission is working hard for the Nigerian people and will provide free, fair, credible, verifiable, and inclusive elections. We must under no circumstances permit anti-democratic elements and fifth columnists to mislead the Nigerian people about the objectives and intentions of the Commission.