The Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) has said it would set up its situation room by Saturday to monitor elections and results that come in from various local governments.

BSIEC chairman, Richard Tombowua, stated this on Friday in Makurdi while speaking to newsmen on election preparedness.

Mr Tombowua said the commission sent out non-sensitive materials on Tuesday and distributed sensitive ones on Friday.

“The commission initially indicated that it needs 16,000 ad hoc staff, but when the portal was opened for registration, 36,000 people applied, and they were trained from the headquarters down to local government council wards.

“Two trainings were held at the headquarters, three at the zonal headquarters.

“After the training, the commission selected those who would conduct the elections on Saturday.

“We met with the heads of security agencies in Benue, and they are synergising with us and have given us their men to help maintain peace and order.

“Most of them are already on their way with sensitive materials to various local government areas,” he said.

Agbo Umaru, member representing Apa Constituency at the House of Assembly and also the chairman on Electoral Matters and Civil Society Organisations, said he was impressed with what BSEIC has done so far.

Mr Agbo commended the commission for the timely distribution of sensitive materials to various local government areas and prayed for free, fair, and credible elections.

“I came on a surprise visit to the commission, and with what I have seen on the ground, the sensitive materials would get to the various local governments on time for onward distribution to council wards,” he said.

 (NAN)