INEC has unveiled the roster of political parties slated to partake in the rerun on February 3rd in the Plateau region

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that all political parties involved in the February 25th, 2023 National Assembly election in Plateau State are qualified to participate in the upcoming February 3rd rerun. This statement has quashed rumors suggesting that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) might abstain from the rerun following a Court of Appeal judgment.

Dr. Tersoo Agundu, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Plateau State, addressed the media regarding the commission’s preparations for the rerun. Agundu emphasized that the rerun was not due to any failure on INEC’s part but stemmed from a party’s non-compliance with a court order and the absence of a structure during the initial election.

“The purpose of this meeting is to officially inform all of you about the Court Ordered Re-run Senatorial Election in Plateau North and the Federal House of Representative Election in Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency, and to invite you all to once again inform the general public about the election and the imperative of their active participation and orderly conducts,” Agundu stated.

He provided details about the scope of the rerun, covering six local government areas in Plateau North and a federal constituency in Jos North/Bassa. The constituencies have a significant number of registered voters, making it comparable to a gubernatorial election in some states.

Agundu highlighted the vast logistics involved, with over eleven thousand ad-hoc personnel expected to be recruited and deployed, in addition to security personnel.

The commissioner reiterated that only voters with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would be allowed to vote, and accreditation must be done using the Biometric Verification Authentication System (BVAS). He called on security agencies to enforce this legal provision.

He also mentioned the presence of Polling Units where elections would not take place due to zero registration. These units are primarily in Bassa and Jos North, totaling four polling units.

As the commission prepares for the rerun, Agundu appealed for collaboration with the media to ensure fair reportage, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace during the electoral process.

In conclusion, he expressed the commission’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, transparent, and inclusive election, urging all stakeholders to contribute to an atmosphere of peace and patriotism.