Ekiti: INEC Assures Voters of Credible Governorship Election, Deploys 3,170 BVAS

A total of 3,170 Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) will be deployed for Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State. Of these, 2,445 polling units will each receive one BVAS, while 16 polling units with more than 250 voters will receive extra units, bringing the total number assigned to polling units to 2,462. The Commission has also set aside 708 backup units to be used if any BVAS malfunctions at a polling unit.

These details emerged at a special briefing for accredited observer groups and political parties’ agents for the governorship election in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday.

The briefing was addressed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi; the Nigeria Police Commissioner for Elections, CP Abayomi Shogunle; the Ekiti State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Mrs Oluwakemi Akomolede; as well as the Directors of the State Security Services and the National Intelligence Agency.

The Ekiti REC, Dr Omoseyindemi, in his address, said the briefing was to acquaint observers and party agents with INEC’s preparedness for the election and to guide them on the rules and regulations governing their engagement during the elections. He said adequate BVASs have been deployed and that accreditation of voters should not take more than a minute. He said the BVASs have been set up and charged for the election.

He urged observer groups to remain impartial, publish verified reports rather than information taken from social media, and fact-check their findings before releasing them.

He advised party agents to avoid any actions that could disrupt the electoral process and to conduct themselves in line with the Electoral Act, as well as INEC regulations and guidelines. He also warned them not to direct voters on how to vote or offer money or material gifts to influence them, as both actions are unlawful.

The Resident Commissioner said INEC is determined to conduct a credible poll where the vote of the electorate will count.

Police Commissioner on Security

Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle said officers and men of the Nigeria Police are ready to provide maximum security for the election and all the people participating in the conduct of it. He said certain flashpoints and persons have been identified and are being monitored, assuring that the Police will ensure that everything goes well with the election.

He assured observer groups of their safety and said any request for additional security would be granted at no expense beyond providing transportation for the personnel. He also said accredited observers would be free to move around the state.

Asked about the number of officers and personnel deployed to Ekiti State for the election, CP Shogunle said he would not disclose the figure but assured that there would be enough police officers on the ground. He added that police personnel would be present at every polling unit and registration area.

He said there was an ongoing training of over 1000 policemen at another venue, acquainting them with the laws governing the election and how to conduct themselves.

Other Briefings

Other INEC departments also briefed the observers and party agents. The Head of ICT said the BVAS had been prepared for the election and that only voters accredited through fingerprint and facial recognition would be allowed to vote. The Gender and Inclusivity Department also outlined measures to ensure that persons with disabilities can vote.

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