Ondo Poll: INEC Set To Deploy 4,814 BVAS, 700 Journalists
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled plans to deploy 4,814 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines for the Ondo State governorship election, set for November 16, 2024.
According to an INEC official, the commission is well-prepared to ensure a smooth electoral process across the state’s 3,933 polling units and 222 collation centres, which comprise 203 ward centres, 18 local government centres, and the state collation centres.
Also, “4,814 BVAS devices will be utilized for the Ondo State governorship election,” the official confirmed.
In preparation for the election, INEC has scheduled a mock voter accreditation on November 6, 2024, to test the BVAS technology and ensure effective electronic result uploads to the INEC Result Viewing portal. This exercise is designed to identify potential issues ahead of the main election day.
On June 13, 2024, INEC released the final list of candidates for the Ondo State election, which revealed that 17 political parties would be participating. Notably, there are no female candidates contesting for the governorship, although the African Democratic Congress has a candidate who is paraplegic.
Campaign activities for the Ondo governorship commenced on June 19, 2024, and will conclude at midnight on November 14, 2024. Political parties have also registered a total of 24,148 polling and collation agents to assist with the election process.
Additionally, INEC has accredited 112 media organizations, involving over 700 journalists, technicians, and support staff, as part of its preparations for the upcoming election. The media representation spans print, radio, television, and digital platforms, as announced by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during the fourth regular quarterly consultative meeting with media organizations in Abuja on Friday.
“The commission is pleased to announce the accreditation of 112 local and international media organizations—both print and online—who will deploy over 700 personnel for election coverage. A detailed list of these organizations and their personnel will be made available on our website and social media channels for public access,” he stated.
Yakubu emphasized the crucial role of the media in upholding the integrity of the electoral process, highlighting the need for accurate reporting to combat misinformation and foster peaceful elections.
“I urge the media to enhance your accurate reporting to ensure peaceful elections, especially with political campaigns currently underway in the state. I also encourage you to act as a counterforce against fake news and misinformation,” Yakubu added.
