Martha Nyam Jos, Feb. 3, 2023 (NAN) 

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Plateau state, Dr Oliver Agundu has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would conduct mock accreditation of voters in the state on Saturday, Feb. 4.

Agundu said this while briefing newsmen in Jos, Plateau capital on Friday.

He said the mock accreditation of voters was to test run some of the innovations and instruments to ascertain their level of functionality.

“The Commission has scheduled a nationwide Mock Accreditation Exercise for Saturday, Feb. 4, this strategic event is in series of others leads to the commencement of the first ballot.

“You will all recall that this election is one of its kind because it is going to be
anchored on a new legal framework as reflected in the 2022 Electoral Act.

“Also the new INEC guidelines as well as new innovations as exemplified by the development of BVAS as an instrument of voters accreditation and transmission of results.

“The commission therefore deemed it most appropriate to test run some of these innovations and instruments to ascertain their level of functionality, feasibility and suitability to all kinds of circumstances and environment.

Agundu said that the exercise was also aimed at providing the general public and especially political actors the opportunity to see firsthand the working of BVAS and to generally experience what they should expect on election day.

He added that it was also to get feedback for the purposes of improvement and correction as well as build public confidence in the processes and to arrange for a fair, credible and transparent elections.

Agundu disclosed that the mock accreditation would be held a cross the 3 senatorial districts in the state, in 6 LGA’s comprising 12 wards and 12 polling units across the local government areas.

He said the affected local government areas include Qua’anpan, Wase, Mangu, Pankshin, Jos North and Bassa LGA’s.

He listed the affected polling units as, Kwari 1, Langkaku, Den Shenya, Ungwan Galadima 2, Tim, Kwaghas Lahir Primary School, Ngolong-Dok, RCM Langkaku 6, School Lane 1, GTC Jos, Udazu and Angwuwan Gabas 2.

He urged eligible voters in the respective polling units to turn out to participate in the mock accreditation and conduct themselves peacefully to achieve success.

The lNEC commissioner called on the residents of the state to discountenance the rumours making round that the mock election was to enable voters cast early votes ahead of the general elections.