The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will meet security agencies over the protests in some parts of the country ahead of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.
The Tide reports that there have been protests in some parts of the country over the naira scarcity.
Speaking when he visited the training centre of the Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers I, II, and III in Abuja on Saturday, Yakubu said the protest was a security issue.
He noted further that only the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members serving as election officers were authorised to handle the Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS) during election.
When asked specifically if the election will hold amid the protests, the INEC chairman said, “The protests happening in the country is a security matter. This is an issue that we are going to discuss with the security agencies.
“As you know, we have our role clearly cut out and others too have theirs. The most important thing is that we are working together and they have assured us they will secure the environment for the election to take place.”
He said further that the commission could not rely on its workforce alone for the election, which informed the need to engage corps members.
He tasked the corp members to be loyal to Nigeria and Nigerians and not any political party, warning that on no account should they leave the BVAS in the custody of another person.
Yakubu said, “Nigeria is fortunate to have young citizens like you. There is no way INEC can conduct elections without the NYSC. You are simply indispensable in the conduct of elections in Nigeria. All of you will swear an oath of neutrality.
“You are the only ones that will handle the BVAS at polling units on election day. Take this job seriously. We are tracking you as well so that we can know who is holding which BVAS. Do not give this BVAS to someone else.”
Yakubu who also visited the training centre at the International Conference Centre for inspection, explained that a hall at the centre would be used as a media centre for national and international observers as well as media organisations.
He added, “We will also have our own briefing with observers on Tuesday (tomorrow). The other hall will serve as the collation centre for the presidential election and then beside the hall, it will be our Situation Room where we deploy our platforms; INEC Citizens Contact Centre.”