Cross River Bye Elections: INEC to engage 1,914 Adhoc staff, use BVAS for accreditation
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Cross River State says it will engage 1,914 Adhoc staff during the February 26, bye-elections in Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and Akpabuyo State Constituency of the State.
Dr. Cyril Omorogbe, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner disclosed this during a 2-Day Train the Trainers workshop for Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) in Calabar as part of preparations for the elections.
“The 2-day training is organised by The Electoral Institute (TEI) with the objective of providing the SPOs with Electoral skills and knowledge to be able to cascade the training to Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs) and act as Supervisory Presiding Officers in the bye-elections.”
He added that the newly introduced Biometrics Voter Authentication System (BVAS) will be used for the elections.
The REC informed eligible voters whose names appeared in INEC Register 2019 that “they are qualified to participate in the forthcoming bye-elections.”
“Biometrics Voters Authentication System (BVAS) will be used for accreditation.
“Accreditation and Voting will take place simultaneously between 8.30 a.m. – 2.30 p.m, ” he said.
Omorogbe reminded the voters that possession of a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) enables them to vote on the day of the election.
“Please note that Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) no matter the year issued does not expire.
“However, new registrants who enrolled from when the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) commenced in June 2021 till date should note that they cannot vote in this election, ” he said.
The REC added that the date for collection of PVCs nationwide will be announced by the Commission.
He said the Commission would follow all protocols of COVID-19 during the elections.
Omorogbe said that the train the trainers were drawn from Federal Establishments/Institutions in compliance with INEC Guidelines, adding that the focus of the training was on polling and counting procedures as well as other election processes.
