INEC to conduct mock accreditation for Edo poll on September 10

Partners with voter education service provider in Ondo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, said it would conduct a mock accreditation exercise to test-run facilities for the September 21 off-cycle governorship election in Edo State.

The commission said it would be test-running the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and result upload to INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal for the election using live voters in select locations in the state.

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in a statement, said the exercise scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, 2024, would take place in 12 designated polling units across the three senatorial zones from 8.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.

In another development, INEC has partnered with a Voter Education Provider for training and capacity development ahead of Ondo governorship election.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, said the purpose of the workshop was to increase voter education engagements towards ensuring that every eligible voter understands the importance of their vote, knows the processes involved, as well as feels confident and safe to exercise their right.

Babalola, who was represented by the Head of Voter Education & Publicity, Toye Oyeyemi, pleaded with participants to assist INEC by using their expertise and structures to combat misinformation, reduce voter apathy, and increase participation.

According to her, when voters are well-informed, it is obvious that they would be empowered to make decisions that reflect their true preferences and interests.

Also speaking, an INEC Chief Administrative Officer from the Headquarters, Abuja, Robinson Enkeanyanwu, said the training became imperative given the closeness of the election in Ondo State and the need to ensure a credible, free, and fair election.