By Ayorinde Taiwo (SIWES student, Gate Way Polytechnic Saapade.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to deploy over 8,500 Bimodal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS) machines for the February 3 re-rerun and by-elections.
These elections will span 8,890 polling units across the nation, as outlined in a document released by INEC on its official platform.
The upcoming by-elections will take place in nine states, covering 4,294 polling units, while rerun elections are scheduled for 4,596 polling units. Notably, senatorial district elections will occur in Ebonyi South (Ebonyi State) and Yobe East (Yobe State).
INEC will also oversee state constituency elections in Chibok (Borno State), Chikun (Kaduna State), and Guma (Benue State).
Additionally, federal constituency elections are planned for various regions including Ondo, Taraba, Lagos, and Kebbi states.
The court-ordered re-run elections will encompass 4,596 polling units, featuring one senatorial district in Plateau Central and 12 federal constituencies.
States like Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, Zamfara, Benue, and Borno will conduct elections to fill vacant positions.
Approximately 4,567,689 eligible Nigerians are expected to cast their votes in 8,890 polling units on February 3, 2024.
To ensure a seamless electoral process, INEC plans to provide at least one BVAS per polling unit along with backup BVAS.
The final list of candidates is slated for publication on January 17, with the campaign period commencing on January 18 and concluding on February 1.
