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  • We’ll make up for 6,154 Imo ad hoc staff shortfall, says INEC

    We’ll make up for 6,154 Imo ad hoc staff shortfall, says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it will make up for a shortfall of 6,154 ad hoc staff for the November 11 governorship election in Imo State.

    Its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known on Monday at Akwanga, Nasarawa State, during a two-day capacity-building workshop for members of the INEC Press Corps.

    The workshop, with the theme: “Ethical, Safety Practices and Critical Issues Relating to the Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa Governorship Elections,” was sponsored by Development Alternatives Incorporated.

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    Yakubu, who was represented by INEC National Commissioner, and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the shortfall was observed at the close of online application for the recruitment of ad hoc staff for the Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi governorship elections.

    The INEC Chairman, who did not state the reason for the shortfall, however, said staff would be sourced from the neighbouring states.

    “Ad hoc staff portal for the November 2023 off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States was opened on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 8 a.m. and closed on Monday, October 2, 2023, at 12 midnight.

    “The summary of successful applicants shows that Bayelsa and Kogi have a full complement of their requirement for all categories of ad hoc staff, while Imo has a shortfall of 6,154. The shortfall will be sourced from the neighbouring state,” Yakubu said.

  • INEC chair to parties: don’t break the rules

    INEC chair to parties: don’t break the rules

    Ahead of next month’s elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states,  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu has  urged participating   parties  to avoid breaking the laws during the campaign.

    Yakubu said the parties must pay attention to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, the Police Act, and the Public Order Act for the proper and peaceful conduct of their campaigns, rallies, and processions.

    This is as the INEC chairman said that democracy will only grow and flourish when there is a free and vibrant media.

    He spoke at a  workshop for members of the INEC Press Corps.

     Prof Yakubu reminded the political parties of the provisions of the law regarding the conduct of their campaign.

    He said: “A political campaign or slogan shall not be tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal, or sectional feelings. Abusive, intemperate, slanderous, or base language or innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reactions or emotions shall not be employed or used in political campaigns.

    “Let me also remind the media of their constitutional obligations. State apparatus including the media shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election.

    Read Also: Voter apathy mars INEC mock election in Imo

    ‘’In other words, equal coverage and visibility shall be allotted to all political parties by all public print and electronic media organisations. The same applies in equal measure to privately owned media organizations subject to payment of appropriate fees”.

    He explained that the purpose of the training was to deepen the participants’ knowledge of the Commission’s processes and procedures, which will go a long way in ensuring factual, balanced, and informed coverage of the Commission’s activities.

    Yakubu said the Commission was conscious of the critical role of the media in the political and electoral process and believes that democracy will only grow and flourish through a free and vibrant media.

    The media, he said is also expected to help carry out voter education and public enlightenment; mobilize the electorate to participate in the electoral process through awakening in them, the consciousness of taking ownership of the political process and give visibility and life to the programmes and activities of the Election Management Body with a view to updating stakeholders on the developments in the electoral process.

    Speaking on preparation for the forthcoming governorship elections, the INEC boss said the Commission has presented the soft copies of a combined total of 5,409,438 registered voters for the Baylesa, Imo and kogi Governorship elections to Chairmen of political parties in the states and successfully carried out mock accreditation exercise in the three states.

    He said  that the commission will deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to authenticate the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and upload polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) seamlessly on Election Day.

    On areas where the elections will take place, he said the elections will be  conducted in eight  local governments, 105 Registration Areas/Wards and  2,244 units in Bayelsa, 27 local governments, 305 Registration Areas/Wards and 4,758 units in Imo and 21 local governments, 239 Registration Areas/Wards and 3,508 units in Kogi.

    According to him, soft copies of the register of voters have also been presented to the state chairmen of political parties or their designated representatives at ceremonies that took place at the Collation Centres in the State Headquarters of the Commission in Yenagoa, Owerri and Lokoja.

  • JUST IN: Fake news, disinformation threatening elections in Nigeria, says INEC

    JUST IN: Fake news, disinformation threatening elections in Nigeria, says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has again raised alarm over the rising cases of fake news and misinformation which it said was capable of having a negative impact on the management of elections in the country if not nipped in the bud.

    The commission described as distasteful, its experience with fake news, hate speech and misinformation during the 2023 general elections, adding disinformation is being used to provoke religious and tribal sentiments which has already polarized the country.

    The national commissioner and member of the Information and Voter Education Committee of the Commission, Prof Kunle Ajayi disclosed this while speaking at a two-day capacity-building workshop for members of the INEC Press Corps.

    The workshop with the theme “Ethical, Safety Practices and Critical Issues Relating to the Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa Governorship Elections” is sponsored by the Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI).

    Prof Ajayi said elections-related disinformation has become a major strategy used by nefarious individuals and groups in the political space to manipulate the general public to their advantage, regardless of the consequential effect such propaganda may have on the peace and stability of the electoral process and the country at large.

    He said: “I would like at this juncture, to draw the attention of the media to a crucial issue that poses a serious threat to the election process in Nigeria. That is the issue of fake news.

    “The Commission’s distasteful experience with fake news in the 2023 General Elections has shown that, if not nipped in the bud, fake news can become the bane of election management in Nigeria. 

    “The alarming prevalence of misinformation, ‘fake news’, hate speech, and the weaponization of disinformation has become very worrisome to the Commission.

    “Disinformation is used to provoke religious, political, and tribal sentiments in an already polarized society such as ours, especially, during election season, which is often the leading cause of electoral violence and uprisings.

    Read Also: Voter apathy mars INEC mock election in Imo

    “Election-related disinformation has become a major strategy used by nefarious individuals and groups in the political space to manipulate the general public to their advantage, regardless of the consequential effect such propaganda may have on the peace and stability of the electoral process and the country at large.

    Team Leader for DAI, Rudolf Elbling said the media was an essential part of any democracy, adding that a democratic election without the media is impossible as they act as a crucial watchdog to democratic elections, safeguarding the transparency of the process.

    He explained that to fulfill their roles, Journalists need to maintain a high level of professionalism, accuracy, and impartiality in their coverage, stressing that transparency is required on many levels including for access to information; accountability, and legitimacy of individuals, institutions, and processes themselves; and for rightful participation and public debate.

    Details shortly…

  • Voter apathy mars INEC mock election in Imo

    Voter apathy mars INEC mock election in Imo

    The mock election organised by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State at the weekend recorded low turnout in some local government areas.

    Owerri West Local Government Area tops the  senatorial zones  with 69 votes  of the 750  registered voters.

    Majority Leader,  Kanayo Sixty nine votes were recorded at Onyemaechi’s polling unit/ electoral booth in Oforola Owerri West.

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    Others are Ngor Okpala, 50  of 927 registered voters,  Obowo 17, Ihitte Uboma 34, Isiala Mbano 33, Aboh Mbaise 28, Ideato South 13, Nkwere 16, and Ohaji Egbema , 17.

    The Majority Leader and other leaders in Owerri mobilised voters for the exercise.

    Owerri West Local  Government Area among the Local Government Areas selected for the exercise is currently leading in the votes cast for the All Progressives Congress, APC .

  • INEC: why bye-elections into National Assembly positions is yet to hold

    INEC: why bye-elections into National Assembly positions is yet to hold

    Bye-elections to fill vacant positions in the states and National Assemblies will be conducted after the off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said.

    The commission announced the plan to redistribute registered voters in polling units with large voters after the conclusion of the general election.

    National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun, told The Nation yesterday that the attention of the commission was focused on delivering free, fair, and credible elections in the three states.

    Olumekun said while the commission was concentrating on the off-cycle polls, it would soon come up with plans for the bye-elections.

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    The off-cycle elections in the three states are scheduled to hold on Saturday, November 11.

    Five vacancies currently exist in the House of Representatives, one in the Senate, and two in Kaduna and Borno states.

    Three of the existing vacancies in the House of Representatives became vacant following the appointment of some elected lawmakers to serve in the Executive, while the other two occurred as a result of death.

    Olumekun said INEC was conscious of the judgments of the election tribunals ordering supplementary and rerun elections in some senatorial districts as well as federal and state constituencies.

    The spokesman also said the commission recognised the right of those affected to appeal such judgments.

    He hinted that the bye-elections may not be conducted until after the November 11 governorship elections, while the bye-elections to be conducted may include those ordered by the tribunals.

    Aside the existing vacancies, the election petition tribunals have sacked 25 members of the House of Representatives, five senators and several state Houses of Assembly members.

    The tribunals ordered supplementary/rerun elections in nine federal constituencies and three senatorial districts.

    Responding to questions while monitoring the mock accreditation at the weekend in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, INEC National Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said the commission was conscious of the difficulty posed by a high number of voters in some polling units.

    He said: “Remember we have not concluded the general election yet. The general election is in three phases. The main election conducted in February and March; supplementary elections conducted in April, and court ordered rerun elections.

    “So, the attention of the commission was focused on that. But immediately after, we will come back to this. But for now, for the purpose of the off-cycle elections, this is the arrangement.”

  • INEC: We’ll transmit Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa election results according to law

    INEC: We’ll transmit Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa election results according to law

    • Security our major concern in Kogi guber poll – Yakubu
    • Non-sensitive materials delivered to states

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday confirmed that the results of the November 11 governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayesla states would be transmitted according to the provisions of the Electoral Act.

    Yakubu shot down an earlier statement by the Bayelsa State Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Mr. Obo Effanga, that the election result would be transmitted manually.

    The INEC Chairman, while monitoring the mock accreditation exercise in Lokoja, Kogi State yesterday ahead of the coming polls, said: “Please disregard whatever anyone has said about the transmission of results.”

    According to Yakubu, accreditation of voters during the election would be done with the aid of the BVAS machine before, and after voting would be used to snap and upload the results onto  the INEC Election Result Viewing portal.

    Section 60 of the Electoral Act 2022 provides thus: 60(1) The Presiding Officer shall, after counting the votes at the Polling Unit, enter the votes scored by each candidate in a form to be prescribed by the Commission as the case may be.

    (2) The form shall be signed and stamped by the Presiding Officer and counter-signed by the candidates or their polling agents where available at the Polling Unit.

    (3) The Presiding Officer shall give to the polling agents and the police officer where available a copy each of the completed forms after it has been duly signed as provided under subsection (2).

    (4) The presiding officer shall count and announce the result at the Polling Unit.

    Read Also: Results of Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa Gov polls will be transmitted in accordance with law – INEC Chairman

    (5) The presiding officer shall transfer the result including the total number of accredited voters and the result of the ballot in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.

    62(1) After the recording and announcement of the result, the presiding officer shall deliver same along with election materials under security and accompanied by the candidates or their polling agents, where available, to such person as may be prescribed by the Commission.

    Sec. 64 (4) A collation officer or returning officer at an election shall collate and announce the result of an election, subject to his or her verification and confirmation that –

    a. Number of accredited voters stated on the collated result are correct and consistent with the number of accredited voters recorded and transmitted directly from polling units under Section 47(2).

    b. The votes stated on the collated result are correct and consistent with the votes or results  recorded and transmitted directly from polling units under section 60(4) of this Act.

    5) subject to subsection (1), a collation officer or returning officer shall use the number of accredited voters recorded and transmitted directly from polling units under Section 47(2) of this Act and the votes or results recorded and transmitted directly from polling units under section 60(4) of this Act to collate and announce the result of an election if a collated result at this or lower level of collation is not correct.”

     All non sensitive materials for the elections, Yakubu added, had been delivered to the various local government areas in the three states.

    He expressed satisfaction at the preparation for the polls, although he said security challenge remained a major concern in Kogi.

    He said efforts were being made to provide adequate deployment of security personnel in the three states with a view to ensuring a peaceful environment for voters to exercise their rights on the day.

    He noted the flooding problem at the LEA Primary School, Ganaja in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of the state, saying the polling units there would be moved to a more secure environment.

    Besides, he said INEC planned to redistribute voters at the polling unit after the election in view of the large number of registered voters there.

    He said: “This is the polling unit with the largest number of registered voters in Nigeria with about 13,000 voters. So, we will be deploying eight BVAS machines to the polling unit on election day.

    At the Kogi Local Government (LGA) Area office of the commission in Kotonkarfe, Yakubu said INEC was working with the security agencies to provide convenient environment for peaceful and credible election.

    He said: “Wherever you go in Nigeria, you are sure to see two government offices. One is INEC. You will see an INEC office in the LGA headed by an Electoral Officer (EO). You will also see the police office headed by a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for the local government.

    “So, we are everywhere working together. And I’m happy that we are working together as we prepare for the elections.”

    Yakubu advised the Electoral Officers (EOs) in the state to follow the standard template for logistics deployment at Registration Area Centres (RACs), as well as work with security agencies for the election to commence in Polling Units (Pus) at 8.30a.m.

    “My advice to you is that you have to use the standard template for this election.

    “I am glad to hear that all the non-sensitive materials have been received in your local government. And I’m sure it’s the same story in other local governments as well.

    “But it’s not only the receipt of the material that is important. You have to batch them so that they go into the box per polling unit.

    “So, on election day, as you move to the super RACs or the RAC centres, you will then move to the polling units.

     “We are giving our words to Nigerians that we must open polling units at 8.30am on the dot. Therefore, you must activate the RACs. If you don’t activate the RACs we can’t actualise the commencement of the votes at 8.30am.

    “You must activate the RACs with security and I am happy that you are working in partnership with them.”

     National Commissioner in charge of Kogi, Prof. Sani Adam, said the state was ready for the conduct of the governorship election.

    He said the commission had held series of meetings with security agencies in the state with a view to ensuring adequate security during the elections.

    The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hale Gabriel Longer, said the state has reviewed 60 per cent of its budget and has commenced disbursement to the various local government areas.  

  • Results of Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa Gov polls will be transmitted in accordance with law – INEC Chairman

    Results of Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa Gov polls will be transmitted in accordance with law – INEC Chairman

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu has dismissed reports that results of the November 11 off circle elections will be transmitted manually. 

    Reacting to reports quoting the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Bayelsa State, the INEC Boss said results of the elections will transmitted in accordance with the provisions of the law. 

    He said that accreditation for the election will be done using the BVAS machine before and after voting, stating it will be used to snap and upload the results in the INEC Election Result Viewing portal. 

    According to him: “Please disregard whatever anyone has said about the transmission of results”.

    Yakubu also announced that all non sensitive materials for the off circle elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States have delivered to the various local government areas. 

    He spoke while monitoring the Mock accreditation exercise in Lokoja, Kogi State. 

    Read Also: How women change political landscape in Nigeria, by INEC official

    At the LEA primary School Ganaja in Ajaokuta local government, the commission was cognisant of the perennial flooding in the State and said it has made arrangements to move the polling units to a more secure environment in case of flooding in the Lokoja during the elections

    He also disclosed that the Commission intends to redistribute voters at the polling unit after the election in view of the large number of registered voters there. 

    According to him: “This is the polling units with the largest number of registered voters in Nigeria with about 13,000 voters. So, we will be deploying eight BVAS machines to the polling units on election day. “

    National Commissioner in charge of Kogi, Prof. Sani Adam said the State was ready for the conduct of the governorship election. 

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and other INEC officials supervising the mock accreditation exercise in Lokoja, Kogi state
  • How women change political landscape in Nigeria, by INEC official

    How women change political landscape in Nigeria, by INEC official

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday challenged women to use their massive population to make a statement in Nigeria’s politics and development.

    Dr. Gabriel Longpet, the Kogi Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), gave the charge in Lokoja at a town hall meeting with women and Person’s With Disabilities (PWDs).

    He wondered why the women in spite of their population are nowhere near leadership positions either in elective positions or within political parties’ leadership.

    “Many of you who have been following events as it relates to INEC and some of the reports we have been releasing, you will understand that the majority of the registered voters in this country are women.

    “Yet, when you look at the political actors, you hardly see women involved either as candidates for elective positions or holding cogent positions within political parties or otherwise.

    “Looking at that angle, some people will argue that it’s cultural or religious, but I beg to disagree. We are all human beings and citizens of Nigeria.”

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    “If every adult female has the right to register to vote, why won’t they have the opportunity to participate actively in that process that will bring about leadership?

    “Looking at it now that we are in this process trying to elect a leader, the governor that will take over the leadership of the state come Nov. 11, INEC can’t just turn her back on that vast group of people, who has also become a marginalised group.

    “We want you, women, to actively participate in bringing about our desired political development.

    “Therefore, I am not surprised that the implementation of the framework for the gender inclusiveness for the commission is being manifested by your presence here today,” he said.

    He charged them not to fold up or hold on any question or that information they have always wanted to hear, but ask for answers to enable them go back to their localities and sensitise all other groups.:

    “The essence of this forum is to enable you to express your minds, to get the necessary information that they can get back to their localities to know their rights as citizens of not only Nigeria but of Kogi state,” he said.

    The REC added: “You should pass the message round as citizens, as we make arrangements for all other groups, whether PWDs or whatever nature, as excluded groups, young men and women.

    “Our youths should never be seen as those who can only be recruited as political thugs to disrupt the process but be seen as people who are actively participating and leading the way for our political development in this country.

    “Therefore, as women groups and people who have been recognised as a marginalised group of people, show the world that given the opportunity, you will prove the public wrong.

    Also speaking at INEC Voters Education Providers’ One Day Capacity Building Programme in Lokoja on Wednesday, the REC said voter education has been taken so seriously to appeal to Kogi residents’ senses against any form of violence during the upcoming election.

    Earlier, the Kogi INEC Voter Education and Publicity Officer, Mr Haliru Haruna, explained that the programme was aimed at empowering them with information for others within their localities for a peaceful, credible and successful election.

    Haruna said: “INEC can’t do all of these on its own, but relies on people who are in positions that can be able to pass all these information to various segments of our society for attitudinal change toward election.”

  • Parties blame INEC for voter apathy, low PVC collection in Imo

    Parties blame INEC for voter apathy, low PVC collection in Imo

    Political parties in Imo State have blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over claims of voters’ apathy that may characterise the governorship election in  Imo State on November 11.

    The parties said many registered voters were yet to pick their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) due to the electoral umpire’s discouraging attitude.

    INEC had a few days ago reported that about 134,000 PVCs were uncollected by the registered voters.

    The  parties, which urged the residents  to go out and pick their uncollected  cards and use it to cause a change in the forthcoming Imo governorship election, added that the electoral body has been discouraging opposition party members .

     The Publicity Secretary of Action Alliance (AA), Salvator Amadi said: “The PVCs are uncollected because INEC which is supposed to be an impartial umpire has consistently demonstrated that it is an appendage of the ruling APC.

    “What INEC needs to do is massive sensitisation of registered voters via the media. What INEC is doing wrongly regarding PVC collection is extortion of money from the people before releasing the cards on the excuse that they pay for fuel for generators in the absence of electricity.

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    “Furthermore, INEC must stop taking Nigerians for fools in the sense that you cannot continue to give the impression that their votes do not count and still expect them to waste their time and resources to collect PVCs. Nigerians are wiser now.”

    Also, the State Director of New Media of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lancelot Obiaku, said: “The low response to PVC collection is not unconnected with the performance of the electoral umpire and the security agencies in the last general election. It is a protest against injustice and electoral malpractice backed by institutions that ordinarily should promote justice and fairness.

    “The people are angry over a situation where the PDP was getting landslide victories in various constituencies of the state, only for INEC and security agencies to collude with the APC to rig the elections.

    “However, as a party, we are not worried because we are sure that out of ten persons that will vote at all the polling units, seven will vote for the PDP.

    “We are only demanding that the security agencies and INEC be fair. We will win the governorship election. Imo people will not condone any form of injustice again.”

    Also speaking, the 2023 Deputy Director of Media and Publicity, of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Michael Anyanwu, said: “Certain factors could account for low PVC collection across the 27 local government areas of Imo State.

    “While some registered voters are complicit because they refuse to go for their PVCs, lack of trust in the electoral process has brought about political apathy thereby discouraging many from going to pick up their PVCs. INEC stepping up its game by ensuring that credible and transparent elections are conducted all over can help to address this challenge.

    “The collection of PVC is free but some corrupt officials of the Commission in some areas have been reported to seize the opportunity to extort those who come to collect their PVCs. If you are not yielding to the extortion, they deliberately frustrate you from getting your PVC.”

    “Many who can’t pay or stand the frustration end up abandoning their PVCs.”

    For the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the National Vice Chairman, Southeast, Chilos Godsent noted: “Recently, the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC announced that 134,000 PVCs is still dumped at the various local government areas waiting for collection by the owners.

    “From the findings of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Southeast Zone, the electorates have not been able to show up to collect their PVCs because of lack of confidence that INEC will conduct a credible and transparent Election in the forthcoming Governorship Election scheduled for 11th November 2023.

    “The ADC therefore charged INEC to immediately engage the electorates in a holistic multi stakeholders Town Hall meeting in the 27 Local Government Areas in the State in other to sensitise the electorates on the Need for their active participation in elections.

    Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Sylvia Agu of INEC had said: “Imolites have been urged to come for their PVCs at the respective INEC LGA offices, across the 27 LGA offices, INEC has also created some centres for PVCs collection for those Registration Areas with more than 1000 uncollected PVCs.”

  • INEC registers 5.4 million for Kogi, Imo,Bayelsa governorship polls

    INEC registers 5.4 million for Kogi, Imo,Bayelsa governorship polls

    • Mock accreditation holds Oct 14

    About 5,409,438 registered voters are expected to vote in the November 11   elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said yesterday.

    The commission is however yet to release the number of permanent voters’ cards collected in the three states ahead of the elections.

    The commission also announced that it will conduct a mock accreditation  in the three states on  October 14 to test run its facilities.

    A statement  by the National Commissioner in Charge of Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun, also announced that it will present a register of voters to the political parties in the three states on  October 12 in line with the provisions of the law.

    The statement reads: “The Commission held its regular meeting today, Tuesday 10th October 2023 and, among other issues, reviewed preparations for the off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States.

    Read Also: INEC announces 5.4m registered voters for Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa guber polls

    Presentation of Voters Register

    “For the forthcoming elections, there are 1,056 862 registered voters in Bayelsa State; 2,419,922 in Imo State; and 1,932,654 in Kogi State, making a combined total of 5,409,438 registered voters for the three States.

    “As provided in the timetable and schedule of activities, soft copies of the complete register of voters for each state will be presented to the political parties participating in the elections.

    “For emphasis, 16 political parties are sponsoring candidates in Bayelsa State, 17 in Imo State and all the 18 parties in Kogi State.

    “In furtherance of our commitment to deepen the deployment of technology for voter accreditation and result management, the Commission has finalised preparations for mock accreditation of voters in the three states to test-run the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and upload of polling units results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).