By Ehichioya Steve Odion
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today conducted mock accreditation of prospecting voters in preparation for the conduct of the coming general election, with low turn out.
At ward 7 unit 24, Payne Primary School, Upper mission Road, Benin City, accreditation of prospecting voters started at exactly 9 am as INEC officials were fully on ground for the exercise.
The Edo State INEC Resident commissioner, Mr. Obo Effanga who spoke to the Groove Watch News on the exercise said the purpose is to test run the BVAS in preparation for the election proper and also to create awareness among the voters
He also said that the exercise will enable the voters Know how BVAS works for accreditation, adding that the reason for the migration of voters from one unit to another unit is to discogest bigger units to enhance quick accreditation on the election day.
He however disclosed that the commission had earlier held a meeting with all the political parties informing them of the issue of migration of voters.
At ward 4 Idia College, Benin City, the story was not different as the center also recorded a low turn out.
In an interview with the PDP chairman Ward 7, Hon. Otoide Meg who was on ground for the exercise regretted the low turn out of prospecting voters and the confusion among voters over the migration of voters from their previous units to new units by INEC.
According to Otoide, "The idea of being in one unit and made to migrate to other unit by INEC is causing a lot of confusion right now. I just discovered that I have been moved from unit 13 to unit 49. If I have not come here today i wouldn't have know my new unit. Many women came here today and they were surprised that they were moved to other units. So, it is really causing a lot of confusion among voters".
She said when she asked the INEC Resident commissioner, Obo Effanga about the situation, he said there is nothing the commission can do about it now. She added that her worries now is how they can create awareness among the voters and Know how to fix them in their various new units. "If I was aware before now I would have gone straight to my new unit, Otoide said.
Some of the voters who spoke to the Groove Watch News, but did not want their names to be mentioned expressed their disappoint about the exercise, adding that it simply shows that INEC were not prepared for the coming election.
According to them, "INEC should tell Nigerians if they are actually ready for this coming general elections. There was no awareness from the commission on today's exercise. Secondly, when we came here we discovered that many voters were moved from their former units to other units. This action will certainly cause confusion that election day. If solution is not find to this issue there will be voters apathy that day of election.
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