INEC reaffirms September 10 date, begins training of presiding officers

In line with Section 46 of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed September 10 as the date for the governorship election.The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made the confirmation in a statement in Benin City yesterday.

According to the commission, the election will commence at 8:00 a.m. in all polling units across the 18 local council areas, with accreditation and voting conducted simultaneously.

The commission advised all eligible voters to ensure that they cast their votes only in centres where they registered. It also said that only persons whose names appeared on the voter register and had valid voter cards would be allowed to vote.Meanwhile, the commission has started a three-day training of Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers to man the polling units across the state.

INEC Public Relations Officer in the state, Mrs Priscilla Imoudu-Sule, said yesterday that the training would hold simultaneously in all the local council areas of the state.She added that the trainees would take charge of the 2, 627 polling units and 4, 011 voting points in the state.

Also, the commission said it had started to enlighten market women in the state on the need to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) and vote in the election.She said: “We have been sensitising them to the need to check their polling units and be sure that their names are among those cleared to vote. We are also educating them on the need to seek assistance from any of the election officials at the polling units where necessary.’’

She urged the women to strive toward asserting their rights, pointing out that they could only have a say in government, if they participate in the process that determine who governs the state.