The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi said security is a key determinant towards a free and fair election in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

Prof. Florence Obi stated  this when she played host to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and his team who paid her a courtesy call in her office recently.

The University helmsman who was delighted to welcome the Resident Electoral Commissioner said the 2023 Elections can be Marred if security is not taken seriously, stressing that, the level of insecurity in the country even before the forthcoming elections is worrisome.

According to her, citizens are worried about their lives and safety and should be encouraged to come out and vote with the provision of adequate security at every nook and cranny of the country. 

The Vice-Chancellor who commended the Resident Electoral Commissioner for doing exactly what leadership is all about by way of sensitizing the voters in the state to get their PVCs, said it is on good ground that the Resident Electoral Commissioner conducted a mock accreditation exercise and has agreed to paste the names of eligible voters.

                   

"Let me, first of all, commend you for making out time to visit and share with us the progress your commission has recorded as regards the forthcoming elections.

"With the level of preparedness you have shared with us, I must say, God willing, voters will come out to vote and their votes will count. Thank you for your resilience towards a credible election.

"One thing that worries me is the issue of insecurity. W are worried about our lives and safety not just as Vice Chancellor, but as Staff that will be involved in carrying out some duties. We plead that INEC should do much more in the area of security"

Prof. Obi, however said, as partners in progress, she has resolved to continue to support policies and ideals that will give Nigeria a credible election at the polls.

Earlier in a remark, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Cross River State, Prof. Gabriel O. Yomere said the commission's visit to the University of Calabar is to brief the University Management on the preparation of INEC for the 2023 general Elections.

He said that INEC is fully prepared for the elections, adding that, preparations started immediately after the 2019 elections.

According to him after the 2019 elections, a thorough analysis was done and an inventory was taken by the commission to know the shortcomings and how they can be a remedied, noting that, from the Commission’s table of the 14th activities, 12 have been done, left with two which includes campaigns and the election proper.

                          

Prof. Yomere said on election materials, INEC has done very well; on non-sensitive materials, 80 per cent have been received while the sensitive material is with the Central Bank of Nigeria, noting that the commission is keenly monitoring them.

The CR-REC said with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter's Accreditation System (BVAS), the elections will be free and fair to a large extent, stressing that, the BVAS would be the basis for voter accreditation, saying it is equipped to examine a voters thumb and face, only after which One can be be allowed to vote.

Prof. Yomere was accompanied on the visit by Mr. Davis Eldred, Administrative Secretary; Dr. Blessings Anyatebechi, Head, General Administration and Procurement; Barr. Matthew Ugwuocha, Head, Legal; Mr . Etido Akpan, Head, Account and Mrs. Tonia Nwobi, Head, Voter Education and Publicity.