By Martha Omafu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says more than 300,000 registered voters are expected to participate in the Nasarawa North Senatorial District bye-election scheduled for June 20.
Mallam Mohammed Abubakar-Sadiq, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Nasarawa State, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting on Thursday in Akwanga.
Abubakar-Sadiq said the bye-election would be conducted in 583 polling units spread across Nassarawa Eggon, Akwanga and Wamba Local Government Areas of the state.
He said the election became necessary following the demise of Mr Godiya Akwashiki, the senator representing the district, creating a vacancy that must be filled in line with constitutional provisions.
“The commission has scheduled June 20 for the conduct of the Nasarawa North Senatorial District bye-election.
“The exercise will take place in 583 polling units across the three local government areas of Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga and Wamba.
“We have over 300,000 registered voters in the district and all polling units will be opened for the election,” he said.
The REC said that voting would commence at 8:30 a.m. and close at 2:30 p.m., adding that voters already on queue before the closing time would be allowed to cast their ballots.
He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to mobilise eligible voters and sensitise residents on the importance of participating in the exercise.
Abubakar-Sadiq stressed that only registered voters in possession of valid Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would be accredited and allowed to vote.
He explained that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would be used to verify voters through fingerprints and facial recognition before voting.
“There is no voting by proxy. Anyone without a PVC has no business at the polling unit.
“The BVAS will authenticate every voter to ensure that only legitimate cardholders participate in the election,” he said.
The REC warned that impersonation and other electoral offences would not be tolerated, adding that offenders risk arrest and prosecution.
He said INEC had concluded arrangements for the exercise and was working closely with security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and credible election.
According to him, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will serve as ad hoc election officials because of their non-partisan status.
Abubakar-Sadiq said election personnel and materials would be deployed to the 35 registration areas in the senatorial district on the eve of the election to ensure early arrival at polling units.
He also explained that results from polling units would be transmitted electronically through BVAS to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to enhance transparency and credibility.
The REC added that copies of results would be made available to political party agents and pasted at polling units using Form EC60E for public scrutiny.
Speaking on behalf of security agencies, Assitant Commissionet of Police Rasheed Alli, Area Commander covering Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon and Wamba Local Government Areas, assured residents of adequate security before, during and after the election.
Alli said that security agencies would remain professional, impartial and committed to ensuring a free, fair and credible bye-election.
“We want to assure all stakeholders that we are equal to the task and will provide the necessary security for the conduct of a peaceful and credible election,” he said.
He advised political parties to caution their supporters against acts capable of disrupting the electoral process.
Also speaking, the traditional ruler in the area, Chun Mada, Mr Samson Gamu-Yare, represented by the District Head of Akwanga, Mr Anthony Yamusa, commended INEC for organising the sensitisation meeting.
He assured the commission of the support of traditional institutions in mobilising residents and promoting peaceful participation in the bye-election.
Yamusa pledged that the sensitisation message would be disseminated across communities in the senatorial district to ensure a successful exercise.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the REC and his team also held the stakeholder sensitisation meetings in Wamba and Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Areas.
Participants at the meeting included security agencies, political parties, Civil Society Organisations, the traditional institution, religious groups, transport union among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)