The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will not count votes in any polling unit where violence occurs during Saturday’s governorship election in Bayelsa.
This decision was conveyed by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a stakeholders meeting in Yenagoa.
Yakubu, represented by the INEC National Commissioner supervising Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, and Rivers, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, stated that INEC would deploy BIVAS (Biometric Voter Accreditation System) to all polling units for the election. He emphasized the importance of transparency and the integrity of the electoral process.
Yakubu explained that BIVAS devices have been customized for INEC, and the INEC details and the names of political parties are on these devices. INEC also has the list of serial numbers for the BIVAS that will be used. Result sheets will be signed at the polling units, and in case of violence, the election in that polling unit will not be conducted again.
He assured that INEC had recruited and trained ad hoc staff for the election, distributed non-sensitive materials, and was actively engaged in voter education and sensitization.
Yakubu mentioned the deployment of National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners for supervision and expressed the commitment of INEC to conducting a free, fair, and credible election on Saturday.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tolani Alausa, affirmed that the police were fully prepared to ensure a peaceful election. He mentioned the deployment of police personnel to each polling unit and tactical units like the special force, counter-terrorism unit, and special protection unit to maintain security during the election.
Alausa urged all stakeholders to be law-abiding and assured that the police were prepared to handle any challenges that might arise during the election.
