2023 Elections: Low Turn Out Mar INEC Mock Accreditation, Confusion Among Voters Over Migration From One Unit To Another

From Chris Akhabue

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today recorded  low turn out  of voters as it  conducted mock accreditation  in preparation for the conduct of the coming general election.

At  ward 7 unit 24,  Payne Primary School, Upper mission Road, Benin City, accreditation of prospecting voters started at exactly 9 am as INEC officials were fully on ground for the exercise.

The Edo State INEC Resident commissioner, Mr. Obo Effanga who spoke  with the press on the exercise said the purpose is to test- run the BVAS in preparation for the election proper and also to create  awareness among  voters.

He also said that the exercise will enable the voters Know how  BVAS works for accreditation, adding that the reason for the migration of voters from one unit to another unit is to decongest  bigger units  to enhance quick accreditation on the election day.

He however disclosed that the commission had earlier held a meeting with all the political parties informing them of the issue of migration of voters.

At ward 4 Idia College, Benin City, the story was not different as the center also recorded  low turn out.

In an interview with the PDP  chairman Ward 7, Hon. Otoide Meg who was on ground for the exercise regretted the low turn out of prospecting voters and the confusion among voters over the migration of voters from their previous units to new units by INEC.

 

According to Otoide, "The idea of being in one unit and made to migrate to other unit by INEC is causing a lot of confusion right now. I just discovered that I have been moved from  unit 13  to unit 49. If I have not come here today i wouldn't have known my new unit. Many women came here today  and they were surprised that they were moved to other units. So, it is really causing a lot of confusion among voters".

She said when she asked the INEC Resident  commissioner, Obo Effanga about the situation, he said there is nothing the commission can do about it now. She added that her worries now is how they can create awareness among the voters and Know how to fix them in their various new units. "If I was aware before now I would have gone straight to my new unit, Otoide said.

Some of the voters who spoke with the Press in condition of anonimity  expressed their displeasure  about the exercise, adding that it simply shows that INEC  was  not prepared for the coming election.

According to them, "INEC should tell Nigerians if they are actually ready for this coming general elections. There was no awareness from the commission on today's exercise. Secondly, when we came here we discovered that many voters were moved from their former units to other units. This action will certainly cause confusion on that election day. If solution is not find to this issue there will be voters apathy that day of election and so many eligible voters would have been disenfranchised.