The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Joash Amupitan, has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of Saturday’s area council elections, describing the exercise as orderly, peaceful and efficient.
Speaking while monitoring the election in some polling units in Garki, Abuja, Amupitan said the commission had recorded encouraging reports across the FCT, adding that the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, significantly improved the accreditation process.
“You can see yourself that the election is orderly, efficient and peaceful. So far, as far as the efficiency of the BVAS is concerned, I am very satisfied,” he said.
According to him, feedback from Assistant Presiding Officers across the FCT indicated that voter accreditation took less than five seconds in many polling units, a development he said strengthens the credibility of the process.
The INEC Chairman also pointed to strong security presence and orderly voter conduct as positive indicators of a successful poll.
He disclosed that about 30 security personnel were deployed to key locations to maintain calm.
While addressing concerns over the alleged harassment of a journalist during the exercise, Amupitan said the commission intervened promptly after being notified, leading to the immediate release of the pressman.
He assured FCT residents that BVAS would guarantee the integrity of the election, stressing that only duly accredited voters could cast ballots and have their votes transmitted.
Amupitan confirmed the alleged incident of ballot snatching and minor disruptions in parts of Abaji, stating that the situation was swiftly contained and voting resumed.
The INEC Chairman added that about 99 per cent of polling units were operational as of 10:30 am, expressing confidence that the exercise would end successfully.
