Gombe 2,988 BVAS is safe – REC
No fewer than 2,988 Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS), have been received ahead of 2023 general elections according to the Independent National Electoral Commission Gombe.
Disclosing this on Wednesday at the Commission’s state office during a media briefing, the Resident Electoral Commissioner Umar Ibrahim (REC), said the electoral body is prepared to conduct credible exercise.
According to him, introduction of BVAS would reduce the issue associated with malpractices and eliminate negative tendencies used to circumvent the electoral processes like in the past.
Ibrahim said, “Receipt of Non-Sensitive Materials: the State has started receiving non-sensitive materials ranging from INEC bags, ballot boxes, sleeping mats etc.
“All stores have long been evacuated, ready for receiving new materials.Receipt of Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS) device: the State received 2,988 BVAS (which is the exact requirement of the State) in October.”
The Resident Electoral Commissioner added that the BVAS quantity of 2988 is the exact number for the state based on number of polling units, stressing that backup is underway.
He disclosed that based on law only government facilities would serve as registration area centres, adding that “The Commission designated the device as sensitive material, therefore a special detachment of security personnel drawn from the Police and NSCDC were deployed to beef up security in the State Office.Registration Area Centres (RACs) and Super RACs: guidelines were issued by the Commission for maintaining, relocating and establishing new RACs earlier in the year. One Super RAC was created in Gombe.”