Kogi, Bayelsa, Imo polls: INEC to hold mock accreditation Oct.14

Ahead of the off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states in November, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will conduct mock accreditation in the states on October 14 using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, said the exercise will be held simultaneously in 27 polling units, three in each senatorial district of the states.

While appealing to registered voters in the selected polling units to turn up with their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for the exercise, he clarified that the mock accreditation is a “test accreditation exercise and not the actual election.”

Olumekun said: “The Commission met today, Monday, September 25, 2023 and, among other issues, reviewed the preparations for the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States scheduled for Saturday, November 11, 2023.

“As was the case in recent off-cycle Governorship elections, the Commission will conduct a mock accreditation using the BVAS and upload of polling units results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). The test run will take place simultaneously in the three States on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 8.30am to 2.30pm.

“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 District and 27 polling units. Lessons learnt from the exercise will be taken into consideration in ensuring a seamless process on Election Day.

“Full details of the polling units, including their locations by Local Government Area (LGA), Registration Area (RA)/Ward, Delimitation Code and number of registered voters, have been uploaded to our website and social media platforms.

“The Commission appeals to registered voters in the selected polling units to turn up with their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for the exercise.

“The public is advised that this is strictly a test accreditation exercise and not the actual election.