INEC schedules mock election for October 14 in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi

Prior to the governorship elections on November 11, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared on Monday that it would run mock elections in the states of Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi on October 14.

Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner of INEC and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said in a statement that a maximum of three polling places have been identified in each senatorial district across the three states, totaling nine senatorial districts and 27 polling places.

Olumekun emphasised that the Commission’s website and social media channels now provide complete information about the polling places, including their locations by Local Government Area (LGA), Registration Area (RA)/Ward, Delimitation Code, and number of registered voters.

The simulated election would be held concurrently, he noted.

Olumekun said that in order to ensure a smooth procedure on election day, the lessons learned from the exercise will be taken into consideration.

He stated, “Among other matters, the Commission examined the preparations for the upcoming off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States planned for Saturday, November 11, 2023. The Commission convened on Monday, September 25, 2023.

The Commission will use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to conduct a mock accreditation, as it did in recent off-cycle governorship elections, and upload polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

On Saturday, October 14, 2023, from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm, the test run will occur concurrently in the three States.

The Commission urged registered voters at the predetermined polling places to attend the election with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Additionally, it informed the populace that the fake election was just a test for accreditation and not a real vote.