Dipo Kehinde/
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to print 571million ballot papers for the 2023 General Elections, says the Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Delivering a keynote address at the 6th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, Thursday, Prof. Yakubu said, “Each time Nigerians go to the polls, it’s like conducting an election for the whole of West Africa.”
He analyzed the figure thus: “We have 95million registered voters and an election is planned on the total number of registered voters. What’s the implication? Ninety-five million ballot papers for each election, including the possibility of a presidential run-off, and that will give you 571million ballot papers to be printed in the next few months. That’s over half a-billion ballot papers.”
According to Prof. Yakubu, 14 countries in the West Africa sub-region have a 73million combined registered voters while Nigeria alone has a 95million, so the country has 22 million registered voters more than the 14 countries combined.
He added, “Polling Units will open at 8.30 am on Saturday 25th February 2023 for national elections, Presidential and National Assembly, and the same time on Saturday 11th March 2023 for State elections, Governorship and State Assembly. Secondly, campaigns in public by political parties officially commenced eight days ago on Wednesday 28th September 2022. Therefore, the tempo of political activities has increased as parties, candidates and their supporters commence campaigns, rallies, processions, and media advertisements to canvass the support of the electorate.
“Thirdly, the Commission has published the final list of 15,322 candidates for the General Election contesting for 1,491 seats, one Presidential, 28 Governorship, 109 Senatorial, 360 House of Representatives and 993 State Assembly constituencies.”
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