The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said that it would conduct a mock accreditation on October 14, 2023, in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states respectively.
The Commission also revealed that the collection of Permanent Voter Cards which commenced on September 11, 2023, will end on October 9, 2023, ahead of the off-cycle elections scheduled for November 11, 2023.
News About Nigeria reports that INEC said this in a statement signed by its National Commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.
The Commission also noted that the mock accreditation would include using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, and uploading polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal, IREV.
The statement reads in part: “The Commission met today Monday 25th September 2023 and, among other issues, reviewed the preparations for the forthcoming off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States scheduled for Saturday 11th November 2023.
“As was the case in recent off-cycle Governorship elections, the Commission will conduct a mock accreditation using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and upload polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal. The test run will take place simultaneously in the three States on Saturday 14th October 2023 from 8.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
“A maximum of three polling units in each Senatorial District have been identified across each of the three States, covering a total of nine Senatorial Districts and 27 polling units.”
According to the election body, lessons learnt from the mock exercise would be taken into consideration in order to ensure a seamless and hitch-free process on the day of the elections.
INEC, therefore, charged registered voters in selected polling units to avail themselves of the exercise.
“The Commission appeals to registered voters in the selected polling units to turn up with their Permanent Voters’ Cards for the exercise.”