Guber: Polls: INEC finalises preparations for Saturday’s mock exercises in Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has finalised preparations for mock accreditation of voters in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States to test-run the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and upload of polling units results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) ahead of the Nov. 11 off cycle Governorship Elections in the three stages.
The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.
“In furtherance of our commitment to deepen the deployment of technology for voter accreditation and result management, the Commission has finalised preparations for mock accreditation of voters in the three States to test-run the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and upload of polling units results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
“The exercise will take place simultaneously in the three States on Saturday 14th October 2023 from 8.30am to 2.30pm.
“The list of designated polling units for each State has already been uploaded to our website and social media platforms,” Olumekum said.
According to him, lessons learnt from the exercise will be taken into consideration to ensure the seamless deployment of both the BVAS and IReV on Election Day.
“This ts strictly a test-run and not the actual election. The Commission appeals to registered voters in the selected polling units to turn up with their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) for the exercise,” he added.
The INEC boss stated that the commission would present voters’ register to leadership of political parties on Thursday ahead of the polls.
“For the forthcoming elections, there are 1,056 862 registered voters in Bayelsa State; 2,419,922 in Imo State; and 1,932,654 in Kogi State, making a combined total of 5,409,438 registered voters for the three States.
“As provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities, soft copies of the complete register of voters for each State will be presented to the politcal parhes participating in the elections.
“For emphasis, 16 political parties are sponsoring candidates in Bayelsa State, 17 in Imo State and ali the 18 parties in Kogi State.
*State Chairmen of political parties or their designated representatves are invited to attend the event which will take place at the Collation Centres in the State Headquarters of the Commission in Lokoja, Owerri and Yenagoa on Thursday 12th October 2023 at 10.00am,” Olumekun said.
Shadanpama reports that INEC has fixed November 11 for the off cycle governorship elections in Kogi Imo and Bayelsa States.
