INEC assists PTF on COVID-19 with 100 pick – up vans

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.Sets aside 129,973 polling units to serve as palliative distribution centres

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it is ready to assist the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on combating COVID-19 with 100 pick – up vans to ease movement of surveillance and distribution of materials.

This, according to Barrister Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, was in respinse to a request by PTF to assist in the effort to tackle what is clearly a national emergency that requires the support of all national institutions.

The Cimmission will also avail all wards and polling units across the country for fistribution of palliative measures by government, its agencies and private bodies.

Okoye in a statement on Friday said “the PTF has requested for about 100 pick-up vans from the Commission’s fleet to be deployed for contact tracing, surveillance/laboratory and infection prevention/control in six states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the first instance.

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“The States are Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Kano, Rivers and FCT. In addition, the Commission has also placed all our State offices nationwide on standby in case the PTF requests for additional support to combat the pandemic.

“Furthermore, the Commission is working with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Telecommunication service providers to assist in raising public awareness of the pandemic by sending bulk messages (sms) to registered voters similar to what we do for voter mobilisation.

“Short messages were adopted from the flyers/leaflets issued by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). This follows the suspension of the Do Not Disturb (DND) policy on sending unsolicited messages to telephone subscribers by NCC.

“Similarly, the Commission is in discussion with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development on the possibility of using our electoral registration areas (wards) and polling units nationwide as locations for the distribution of palliative and other relief materials to citizens.

“The 8,809 wards and 119,973 polling units are located in various communities in the country and citizens are familiar with their locations”.

The Commission also assured the public that it will join hands with all agencies and stakeholders to combat COVID-19 in Nigeria.

It urged all (save for those on essential duties) to stay at home, maintain recommended social distancing and remain safe by obeying all guidelines issued by the relevant authorities.