The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a toll-free number that voters can use to report any problems impacting them or others as Nigerians get ready to elect the country’s next president on Saturday.
Toll-free numbers are three-digit telephone numbers that can be dialed by the caller at no cost. Such numbers enable callers to access out-of-area businesses and persons free of long-distance charges.
Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, explained in a statement that hotline number 622 had been dedicated to supporting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in its patriotic commitment to the conduct of trouble-free elections in Nigeria.
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NCC anticipates presidential elections
The statement reads that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has dedicated its Consumer Toll-Free Number 622 as the 2023 Presidential Election Incident Hotline to allow 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.
This action is intended to bolster the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) patriotic dedication to ensuring that elections in Nigeria are conducted without incident.
According to the NCC, the toll-free line would enable Nigerians to contact the commission to address problems that telco companies are unable to address. The NCC would then get in touch with the appropriate departments and authorities to remedy the issue and relay all information to them.
The statement states, “The Toll-Free Number 622 is the second-level complaints center through which customers of telecommunications services may contact the Commission directly to discuss difficulties with their telecommunications services that the service providers are unable to resolve.”
However, due to the crucial nature of this election and to alleviate any emergent concerns that may arise at voting centers in any region of Nigeria, the Commission has decided to allocate the Toll-Free Number 622 to handle all forms of complaints on election day.
This is done with the intention of resolving these difficulties by contacting and relaying them to the appropriate agencies, authorities, or organizations for prompt resolution.
The 622 Election Incident Monitoring Center will be staffed by senior management members of the Nigerian Communications Commission. During the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, the hotline will be accessible from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Hence, members of the public are encouraged to call the Election Incident Monitoring Center’s hotline at 622.
Important of the NCC’s number 622
The first election following the enactment of the electoral act would take place in 2023. It will witness the widespread usage of cutting-edge technology like the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) and the INEC results viewing portal.
Ahead of the impending general elections scheduled for the following month, BVAS has dominated the news. The electoral commission, INEC, has assured Nigerians that the use of the device will contribute to the conduct of free and fair elections.
The device would be essential for confirming the identification of voters and uploading election results in real-time. To ensure that elections are free and fair, it is crucial that all polling stations, the collation center, and the iNEC’s headquarters have strong communication links.
If internet services fail, all parties can call the NCC’s toll-free number to get help fixing communication issues. INEC officials, party agents, independent observers, and voters should take advantage of the NCC’s offer.