#Kogi #Election: No PVC, No Voting- INEC Insists #KogiDecides

In an exclusive interview with Naij.com, the REC, Mr Halilu Pia reiterated the slogan of the commission.

“All eligible voters should come out and vote. We have this slogan no PVC no voting. They should conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner,” he said...


On the level of preparation for the election, the REC said the commission has done all within its capacity to have a hitch-free election.

Pai said the commission has commenced distribution of both sensitive and non sensitive materials to the 239 registration centres in the state while smart cards have been configured and are now ready for deployment.

“In the area of personnel, we have recruited 12,448 adhoc staff with different roles. Some as presiding officers; assistant presiding officers and collation officers. We have also posted them to various areas.

“We have trained them this time for longer period. We’ve sourced and recruited 239 experts that will go around the wards to ensure whatever hitch they have is quickly rectified. We’ve also deployed monitors from the national headquarters, the state and at the local government. We have resident electoral commissioners with five of his staff in his state to ensure effective supervision and that staff adhere strictly to rules,’’ the REC said.

To help easy movement of the adhoc Pai said the commission has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers to enable the officials deliver adequately and timely.

“We’ve not had any challenge in this regard. We’ve also made similar arrangement with okada riders for places where there are no accessible roads. To avoid lateness, we have 239 rank centres where the personnel would pass the night and move to their various polling units,’’ he said.

Pai admonished voters to comport themselves and bear it in mind that the exercise is a competition and not a war.

“People should not make up their mind to make the election do or die affair. If you loose today there will be another day. If you don’t win today another four years is right in the corner. They should ensure they adhere to the rules of the electoral acts,” Pai concluded.

Kogi state resident are expected to come out enmasse today, November 21, to choose the person that will lead the affairs of the state for the next four years. The major contenders in the poll is the incumbent governor of the state, Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Prince Abubakar Audu of the All Progressive Congress (APC)

Meanwhile, the Police yesterday, November 20, said it uncovered plots by some unknown persons to “smuggle in” thugs and ammunitions with the intention to disrupt today’s poll in the state.