Ondo 2024: INEC Tests Election Equipment, Conducts Mock Accreditation of Voters
As part of efforts to assure the public of its readiness to conduct the Ondo State governorship election, scheduled for November 16, 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has held a statewide mock accreditation exercise in selected polling units.
The exercise, which spanned multiple Local Government Arkeas (LGAs), aimed at testing the functionality and reliability of voting equipment ascerted the preparedness the commission across polling units in the state.
The Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, led an extensive on-site review of the mock exercise, visiting key areas in Akure South, Idanre, and other regions to observe the functionality of the accreditation machines.
During the exercise, Prof. Yakubu who was accompanied by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, expressed confidence in INEC’s preparedness emphasised the importance of validating the efficiency of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines through real-world trials.
We can’t take readiness for granted. That’s why, as part of our preparations, we decided to conduct a mock accreditation exercise to further test the functionality of the machines,” said Yakubu during a visit to a polling unit in Akure South LGA.”
He highlighted that the commission’s proactive approach, including unscheduled visits to local government offices, to guarantee a smooth process on election day.
The INEC chairman alongside others officials of the commission, visited the Idanre, Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo, both in Ondo Central and Ondo South Senatorial Districts of Ondo State.
According to him, the mock accreditation exercise was to further test functionality of their system.
Yakubu said; “We will ensure that all the polling unit open on time so that voters will not come and wait for INEC officials and materials. We have test the integrity of the machine, is not the matter of deploy early but also accredit early.
“We are doing our best as Electoral Commission and other should also do their best particularly political parties and the candidate
I want to appeal to political parties, candidates and their supporters to ensure that they maintain the peace that will enable us to deploy in good time, concluding the processes in good time.”
Speaking on the accreditation exercise, a voter, Isiaka Taiwo, who was accredited at the Ijapo High School, Akure in ward 4, unit 41, applauded the INEC for the conduct.
“There is no delay in the exercise, and I will come along with my family to cast our vote for candidate of our choices,” he said.
