The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, a coalition of over 70 civil society organizations that monitor Nigeria’s electoral process and elections across the country, has called on the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) to ensure there are no internet outages or network issues on election day.
With the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the 2023 election will be technology-driven, making stable network services crucial.
The situation room, led by Mrs. Ene Obi, presented its pre-election findings in Abuja and emphasized the NCC’s crucial role as a key stakeholder in the election.
Mrs. Obi stated that the NCC will be held responsible for any network issues and internet outages on election day, given the commission’s role in ensuring stable network services.
In her words, “For the first time, the BVAS will be deployed nationwide in a general election. This makes the National Communications Commission (NCC) a key stakeholder in the process. The Commission will be held responsible for any network issues and internet outages on election day.”
The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, also acknowledged the importance of the NCC in ensuring a hitch-free election and disclosed that the commission has identified blind spots where there are poor or no networks and is working with the NCC to transmit from those areas.
In his words, “INEC has identified blind spots where there are poor or no networks, and we are working to make sure there won’t be any problem. We are working with the NCC to make sure we transmit from blind spots. They are the network regulators and they will be very vital to that. We are making sure and working hard so that we transmit freely all around the country”
In a patriotic commitment towards the conduct of hitch-free elections in Nigeria, the NCC has rolled out its consumer toll-free number 622, to serve in the 2023 presidential election. This will enable voters and members of the public in Nigeria to report any issue that needs to be resolved during the election day.