By Boluwaji Obahopo, LOKOJA

Ahead of the November 11 Kogi State governorship election, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room in Partnership with NESSACTION on Thursday in Lokoja, flagged off the implementation of the “Based On Logistic Project”.

The project is targeted at supporting the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on election logistics tracking by conducting an independent assessment of the electoral body logistics processes.

Launching the programme in Lokoja, Executive Director of NESSACTION, Ambassador Eniola Cole, said the project will deploy an innovative technology tool called the Election Logistics, ELLO!.

“We will deploy an innovative technology tool — the election logistics dashboard — to support INEC in tracking and monitoring election logistics deployment for identification of challenges by the #BasedOnLogistics Ello! tech team deployed to each council for timely resolution by INEC ahead of the elections in Kogi state.

“The Ello! dashboard will be provided as part of NESSACTION technical assistance and provide required data on the state of election logistics and create an avenue for relevant stakeholders to proffer workable solutions post-election.”

Cole, who said the issue of logistics has been one of the greatest challenges INEC and Nigeria faced during the election, said the deployment of the technology tool will help relevant stakeholders prepare better for the election in Nigeria.

“Men and material movement, sufficiency and adequacy will be tracked from the first port of entry in Kogi state to the LGAs, Super Registration Area Centre, RACs, and sample polling units.

“A designated web link, social and mainstream media targeted activities will also be deployed to achieve set objectives from October 2023 to March 2024, make an impact on public policy formulation, implementation and evaluation beyond the elections and strengthen discourse on project sustainability with partners as well as independently by continued projection of projects gain.”

The Executive Director said election stakeholders stand to benefit from the projects: “Election stakeholders including INEC, CSOs, political parties, security agencies and the media stand to benefit from the #BasedOnLogistics project.

“The lessons will be shared to address the 24-year-old challenge of late arrival of men and materials to the polls.

“The need to strengthen the capacity of INEC to deliver on its mandate remains mandatory while building on public trust in the electoral process if Nigeria is to become a consolidated democracy.”