By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has dedicated its consumer toll-free number to serve as the 2023 presidential election incident hotline to enable voters report issues that may affect them during the elections on Saturday.
In a statement, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta said the step was to support INEC conduct a hitch-free elections.
Danbatta explained that the toll-free number 622 was the second-level complaints centre through which consumers of telecommunications services were allowed to make calls directly to the Commission.
He said,”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.
“This step is to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in its patriotic commitment, towards the conduct of hitch-free elections in Nigeria.
“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.”
Danbatta said it was necessary for the Commission to dedicate the toll-free number to accommodate all types of complaints on the election day.
“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.
“The 622 Election Incident Monitoring Centre will be manned by top Management officials of the Nigerian Communications Commission. 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.
“Members of the public are, therefore, invited to take advantage of the Election Incident Monitoring Centre Hotline, 622.”
