By Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is satisfied with the conduct of the mock accreditation exercise in the State.
Speaking to journalists shortly after inspection of the polling units in Bauchi and Darazo local government areas, the INEC, National Commissioner in charge of Bauchi, Borno, and Yobe States, Modibbo Abubakar Alkali (Rtd) said the exercise is commendable.
According to the National Commissioner, out of the six local government areas conducting the mock accreditation so far visited the exercise is excellent because the figures are conforming robustly and optimally.
He noted that the turnout of the electorate witnessed in all the polling units visited was commendable and people were still expecting to come out before the closing hours of 2:30 pm.
Alkali also commended the INEC for introducing the Biomodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), saying that the machine is working faster and more smoothly and within one minute it captures the fingerprint without any waste of time.
He called on the women to avoid putting henna on their hand at least a week before Election Day to enable the machine to dictate their fingerprints.
He, however, called on the general public to always channel their complaints appropriately and join hands together with the INEC in sensitizing the general public, especially those at the grassroots level, on the importance of the exercise.
He said that the electorate should have confidence on the BVAS. He urged them to come out to vote, as their votes will count because the whole process is very fair and transparent.
"We've seen how electorates came out in mass to exercise their civic responsibilities and demonstrate their support for the mock accreditation exercise.
Interview with some of the electorates at Majidadi ward, Ajiyari Primary School in Bauchi and Darazo local governments like Murjanatu Muhammad and Abdullahi Adamu, expressed their confidence on the BVAS machine, saying "We're now believe that our votes will count this time around.
They commended the INEC and federal government for introducing the use of BVAS in the forthcoming 2023 general elections in the Country.
While commending the INEC, they also called on the Commission to improve on it's awareness and sensitization efforts down to the grassroots level. NNL.
