As Nigerians prepare to elect the nation’s next president on Saturday, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed a toll-free number that can help voters report any issues affecting them or others.
Toll-free numbers are telephone numbers with distinct three-digit codes that can be dialled at no charge to the person placing the call. Such numbers allow callers to reach businesses and individuals out of the area without being charged a long-distance fee for the call.
A statement signed by Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NCC, explained that hotline number 622 has been dedicated to supporting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in its patriotic commitment towards the conduct of hitch-free elections in Nigeria.
In view of the importance attached to the upcoming Presidential Election, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has dedicated its Consumer Toll-Free Number 622, to serve as 2023 Presidential Election Incident Hotline to enable voters and members of the public across Nigeria to report any issues that may affect them, or others, during the elections on Saturday, February 25, 2023, the statement reads.
This step is to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in its patriotic commitment towards hitch-free elections in Nigeria.
The NCC explained that the toll-free number would allow Nigerians to call the commission to resolve issues that telcos providers can not. The NCC would then contact and convey all information to relevant agencies and authorities that would resolve it.
The statement reads, “the Toll-Free Number 622 is the second-level complaints centre through which consumers of telecommunications services are allowed to make calls directly to the Commission, to resolve issues concerning their telecommunications services which the service providers are unable to do.
However, in consideration of the critical nature of this election and to alleviate emergent issues that may arise at the voting centres or any parts of Nigeria thereof, the Commission has considered it expedient to dedicate the Toll-Free Number 622 to accommodate all types of complaints on election day.”
This is with a view to resolving such issues by contacting and conveying such to relevant agencies, authorities, or organisations for timely resolution.
Top Management officials of the Nigerian Communications Commission will man the 622 Election Incident Monitoring Centre. The hotline will be open to the public from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Therefore, public members are invited to take advantage of the Election Incident Monitoring Centre Hotline, 622.
Significance of the NCC’s number 622
The 2023 presidential elections would be the first election since the electoral act was passed into law. It will see innovative technology like the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) and INEC results viewing portal in use on a large scale.
BVAS has dominated the headlines ahead of the upcoming general elections scheduled for next month. INEC, the electoral body, has assured Nigerians that using the device will help ensure that the polls are free and fair.
Read also: 2023 elections: the BVAS question and why Nigeria can’t afford to lose in the age of tech
The device would be crucial in verifying voters’ identity and uploading election results in real-time. Therefore, excellent channels of communication is essential between all polling units, the collation centre, and the iNEC headquarters to ensure that elections are free and fair.
Should internet services can falter, the NCC’s toll-free number would help all parties involved reach the NCC, which can help provide solutions to resolve all communication issues. Party agents, INEC officials, independent observers, and voters should take advantage of the NCC’s initiative.
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