Ahead of the rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said it has concluded the distribution of sensitive materials to the 23 Local Government Councils in Benue State.
INEC Head of Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Civil Society Organizations in Benue State, Emmanuel Okpe confirmed this during an interview with The Next Edition in his office at INEC headquarters in Makurdi.
Mr Okpe who assured of the preparedness of the Commission to conduct the Saturday polls said the logistics and operational problems which hampered last Saturday’s conduct of the elections have been adequately addressed.
According to him, INEC commenced distribution of sensitive materials on Wednesday and by 9am on Thursday, the last truck of sensitive materials left Makurdi to Konshisha and Gwer East LGAs.
“So, INEC at the headquarters and particularly in Benue here is fully ready to go out on February 23, to conduct the elections.
He however lamented that the shift in the elections had attendant cost implications on the Commission as well as inconveniences on the part of Nigerians.
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Following the postponement, card readers were called from the field and reconfigured to be used on the 23rd. He said they have equally been sent back to the local governments for use on Saturday.
The INEC Head of Voter Education said the Commission was making arrangements including security measures to ensure that communities currently under attack by herdsmen in the state were provided with alternative voting options.
He said the new measures were being contemplated following renewed attacks on some communities in Agatu and Guma Local Government areas.
Mr. Okpe also dispelled rumours making rounds that voting centres earlier designated by INEC for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, had been cancelled.
He rather explained that proper arrangements have been made for IDPs who have Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs to vote and they have been informed accordingly.
