Dr Christian Elekwa, an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ebonyi has reassured the general public that the commission would deploy Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) to conduct the 2023 general election.
Elekwa, the head of the department, of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP), disclosed this in an interview with our reporter on Thursday in Abakaliki.
According to him, the use of BIVAS will enhance voter confidence in the election as well as ensure that the accreditation and voting in the election would be seamless, credible and transparent.
He noted that the electoral body was fully committed to consolidating the country’s democracy assuring that no stone would be left unturned in achieving the goal.
“Our National Chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu had assured the general public and especially the electorate that the 2023 general elections will be conducted with the use of BIVAS to guarantee credibility, and transparency and to meet the International best standard.
” I wish to reiterate that the promise is sacrosanct and that INEC will deploy technology in the conduct of 2023 elections,” Elekwa said.
He emphasised that the commission in Ebonyi under the leadership of Dr Joseph Chukwu, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) had taken several steps to ensure that the 2023 election was free; fair, credible, inclusive and safe.
“INEC, therefore, appeals that valid registered voters should come out en masse to choose their leaders in the February 25, Presidential and National Assembly as well as in the March 11, governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
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“We have commenced radio and television jingles in English, pidgin, Igbo and local dialects to sensitise and mobilise the voting public in the state to participate in the election.
” The choice of who becomes our elected leaders are entirely in the hands of the voters and only those with their permanent voter card (PVC) can exercise this civic task.
“We urge registered voters who are yet to collect their voter cards to go to the local government areas they registered to collect them,” he said.
The official who stressed that the collection of PVC was not by proxy enjoined the electorate to shun electoral violence, thuggery, vote buying, vote selling and other malpractices that could compromise the integrity and credibility of the outcome of the election.
“Security personnel will be on the ground to forestall any incidences of electoral offence while culprits will be arrested and treated according to the law,” he added.
