By Chukwudi Nweje
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has confirmed that it has taken delivery of the last consignment of the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) for the general elections.
The commission has also created four airport hubs in Abuja, Kano, Lagos, and Port Harcourt to facilitate the smooth delivery of the machines across the 36 states of the federation.
INEC National Commissioner & Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye disclosed this in a statement Wednesday.
The statement said, “In furtherance of the preparations for the 2023 general election, the Commission, yesterday, 3rd January 2023, received the last consignment of the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) machines with 52 days to the election.
“The Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, National Commissioners and senior officials of the Commission were at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to receive the BVAS.
“Officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and airport security officials were at the airport to receive the INEC team.”
Okoye stated that that the commission had in the last four months been delivering the BVAS machines across the 36 states and added that the with the last consignment of the BVAS machines, INEC is equipped to conduct the elections.
“Over the last four months, several flights delivered the BVAS to the designated airports for movement to states of the federation ahead of the elections. With the arrival of the last flight in Abuja yesterday (Tuesday), the Commission has now taken delivery of the required number of the BVAS for all the polling units in the country and extra machines in line with our contingency provisions for all critical election materials,” the statement further said.
He commended Nigerians supporting the Commission in its effort to deliver free, fair, and credible 2023 election.
“The Commission appreciates the support of all Nigerians in its determination to conduct free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive 2023 general election facilitated by the deployment of technology,” the statement concluded.
