Moses Ofodeme
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has named the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja, to serve as National Situation Room and Collation Centre where the results of Presidential elections are collated.
The Commission announced this on Thursday during its regular weekly meeting where other key issues were discussed.
At the meeting, the Commission also established two committees for that purpose. The Collation Secretariat, where Presidential results from the States will be collated will be headed by the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in exercising his constitutional responsibilities as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation and Returning Officer for the Presidential election.
In addition, a few technical staff will assist him.
The second is the Situation Room and Collation Centre Committee, which shall be responsible for the preparation of the venue, seating arrangement, utilities and services, security, the accreditation of party agents, as well as the national and international observers, media, etc.
The Committee has the following membership: Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, National Commissioner – Chairperson, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, National Commissioner – Member, Barr. Festus Okoye, National Commissioner – Member and Director, Electoral Operations – Member.
Others are, Director, ICT – Member, Director, Planning and Monitoring – Member, Director, Security – Member and Director, Election & Party Monitoring – Member.
The rest include, Director, International Cooperation & Protocol – Member, Director, Research – Member, Director, Health Services – Member, Director, Estate, Works and Transport – Member, Chief Technical Adviser to the Chairman – Member, Special Adviser to the Chairman – Member, Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman – Member and Director, Commission Secretariat – Member/Secretary.
The Situation Room and Collation Centre Committee was inaugurated by the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Yakubu, who charged it to commence work in earnest and to discharge its responsibilities diligently.