The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) expects 5.4 million people to vote in the three off-cycle governorship elections slated for November 11 in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo.

Of the figure, 1.05 million voters are in Bayelsa, 2.4 million are in Imo, and two million are in Kogi.

Sam Olumekun, the national commissioner and chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, stated in Abuja on Tuesday that the commission reviewed its preparations for the elections.

He assured that electronic copies of each state’s voters’ complete register would be given to political parties participating in the elections.

“Sixteen political parties are sponsoring candidates in Bayelsa; 17 political parties are doing the same in Imo, while 18 parties are fielding candidates in Kogi.

“State chairmen of political parties or their representatives are invited to attend the presentation of the registers on October 12 at INEC’s offices in Lokoja, Owerri and Yenagoa at 10:00 a.m.,’’ he stated.

He added that INEC had finalised arrangements for mock accreditation of voters in the three states in furtherance of its commitment to deepen the deployment of technology for voter accreditation and result management.

Mr Olumekun explained that the mock exercise would test-run the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and upload of polling units’ results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

“The exercise will take place simultaneously in the three states on Saturday, October 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

“The list of designated polling units for each state has already been uploaded to INEC’s website and social media platforms,’’ Mr Olumekun stated.

He appealed to registered voters in the selected polling units to turn up with their Permanent Voter Cards for the mock exercise. 

(NAN)