By Fadhlillah Abdallah
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that 3,991 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, (BVAS) has so far been deployed to Sokoto ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The administrative secretary of the state office, Hauwa Kangiwa also disclosed that 124,963 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) had not been claimed in the state.
Making the disclosures at a stakeholders meeting in Sokoto on Monday, she said that the BVAS will be configured and assigned to polling units across the state, while the Commission’s staff were being trained in effective handling of the BVAS.
According to her, 86,446 of the unclaimed PVCs were for those registered in 2019; 25,380 for those registered in 2021 and 13,137 for those that transferred their voting centres.
She added that 148,446 new PVCs had been despatched to the 23 local government areas for distribution.
She assured that all updates and arrangements, identifications and invitations will be done to carry all collaborating agencies along.
“The commission is well prepared to conduct the 2023 general elections, the preparation will take the commission up to the day of elections and beyond.
”All departments and local government offices are working tirelessly to make sure that our constitutional duties are carried out effectively,” Ms Kangiwa said.
He therefore urged INEC and security agencies to take decisive action to check the disturbing trend.
The stakeholders meeting was attended by political parties, the army and other law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, physically challenged persons, students and others.