2023 elections: LCCI advises electorates on safety

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has cautioned the electorates to be safety conscious and adhere to constitutional authorities at the coming general elections.

Dr Chinyere Almona, Director General (DG), LCCI, said this in a statement signed by Mr Sunday Osanyintuyi, Head of Corporate Communications, LCCI in Lagos on Friday.

Almona said that the advice became necessary because as Nigerians, it was a citizen’s civic responsibility to vote as this offered the only legitimate opportunity to choose their leaders and change government.

She urged Nigerians to follow the voting procedures outlined by the electoral body; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a smooth process.

Almona said some of these include early arrival, accreditation and staying 300 metres from the voting area to witness sorting and counting among others.

The LCCI DG listed the safety measures to include the possession of a valid means of identification such as national identity card and Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

Almona said others are copies of passports or relevant documents that indicate immigration status (for non-Nigerians resident in Nigeria).

She said that phones must be kept on with sufficient airtime and two emergency numbers programmed to report occurrence of security interest to a security focal point, police or the local council.

“If caught up in a demonstration or unrest, remain calm and steadily move away from the hotspot.

“Inform your contacts (manager, security focal point, colleagues, friends and family) of the situation and location and contact your health service provider if injured.

“Always have sufficient airtime on your phone, and budget emergency calls in your mobile internet modems and have sufficient airtime to serve as a potential substitute means of communication,” Almona said.