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IDRIS AHMED, LOKOJA.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Kogi state, said it has completed all necessary processes that will lead to the successful conduct of the general election commencing February 25.
Resident Electoral Commissioner for Kogi state, Dr. Gabriel Longpet, while briefing Journalists on Tuesday at the INEC office in Lokoja, disclosed that the Commission has registered 1.9 million voters, while 1.6 have collected their Permanent Voters Cards.
According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, the Kogi state office has received 3508 dully configured Biometric Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), with additional 284 pieces as backup..
Dr. Longpet explained that to be assured of the veracity of the BVAS machines, the Commission organized and conducted a mock accreditation especially at difficult terrains where communication is problem.
He said the BVAS machines are not for voting, but for identification of the voters by their faces and thumb prints.
The REC also disclosed that as part of its preparedness, the Commission, has trained both permanent and ad hoc staff, most of whom are members of NYSC, adding that technicians were not left out in the exercise, as their services are very necessary to forestall any unforeseen circumstances.
” Election materials have been moved to all the Local Government Areas of the state, while sensitive materials for the Presidential and National Assembly election will be inspected today in preparation for the free, fair and credible exercise”, the REC stated.
He assured the electorate that the Commission has prepared for a peaceful and credible election as security measures have been beefed across the country and any untoward behaviour will be crushed.
“The election management in synergy with the Commission has met severally to ensure and reassured their safety before during and after the elections,” he said.
He explained that as part of the strategies to curb electoral malpractices and violence, the Commission decided to decentralize the polling units across the country, assuring that the voters registers will be made available to all newly created polling units for voters to identify where they are to exercise their franchise.
Meanwhile, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, has debunked the rumour making the round that a bomb blasted at the INEC LGA office at Okehi in Kogi state.
Dr Longpet, urged Nigerians and the people of Kogi state to disregard the story as part of the activities of the saboteurs, who do not mean well for the country.
The Commissioner explained that there was no attack on any INEC’S facilities in Kogi state.
Reports from Okehi LGA indicate that the suspected blast took place at the Okehi LGA Secretariat, Obangede in eastern Senatorial district.
