The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has started airlifting election materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to Benin, Edo State, in preparation for the governorship election set for September 21, 2024.
A statement from Group Captain Kabiru Ali, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, explained that this initiative is part of a larger effort to ensure the timely and secure delivery of sensitive materials essential for the smooth execution of the elections.
Captain Kabiru Ali, highlighted that the airlift reflects NAF’s commitment to facilitating logistics and maintaining a peaceful electoral environment in Edo State.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, had previously assured INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu of NAF’s dedication to airlifting electoral materials. This effort aligns with NAF’s constitutional duty to provide Military Aid to Civil Authority.
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In a recent report, INEC has said 2,249,780 registered voters have collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs, in the state. This represents 85.57 percent of the 2,629,025 total registered voters in the state.
As of Monday, September 16, INEC reported that 379,245 PVCs, representing 14.43% of the total, remain uncollected in Edo State following the extended PVC collection period.
INEC has now made data on PVC collection available on a Polling Unit basis in preparation for the governorship election. The state has a total of 4,519 Polling Units, with voting set to occur at each one.
As Edo State gears up for the governorship election, this data offers critical insight into voter participation and the potential turnout in the polls. INEC’s proactive release of these figures reflects its ongoing efforts to maintain transparency and enhance the credibility of the electoral process.
The commission has uploaded a detailed 128-page breakdown of PVC collection figures, including data on both collected and uncollected cards for each Polling Unit, on its website. Interested parties can view this information at INEC’s website.
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