The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Saturday, conducted a mock accreditation exercise in preparation for the forthcoming February 25 general elections.
The Informant247 understands that the mock accreditation exercise was to test the effectiveness and efficiency of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
It was gathered that the exercise took place in 6 local governments of Ogun State and recorded a low turnout.
The mock accreditation exercise was done in Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Ado Odo/Ota, Ogun Waterside, Sagamu and Egbado South local governments.
It began around 8:30 am and the people of the area were received by officials of the electoral commission as each accreditation exercise took an average time of 90 seconds.
Low turnout of people was recorded at Olowu’s Palace in Oke-Ago Owu, in Abeokuta North.
Only 6 persons were successfully accredited as of 10:46 am, while officials of the electoral commission were awaiting for other voters to visit the venue for the exercise.
Political parties’ agents could be seen checking the list of eligible voters pasted at the polling unit, whether the names of their members were included.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Niyi Ijalaye, who addressed newsmen while he’s observing the exercise, said, “BVAS takes about 40secs to accredit a voter, which is very acceptable. For us BVAS is working and we hope it will be like that all over the state.”
He persuaded the people to come out and cast their votes for their preferred candidates on election days.
“Our appeal is that people should come out on that day. It will take about one minute to get accredited,” he said.
