2023: BVAS ‘ll Enhance Credibility of Electoral Process, Says Akwa Ibom Assembly Candidate
Okon Bassey in Uyo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Essien Udim State Constituency seat of Akwa Ibom State, Barrister Prince Akpabio has said that the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will enhance the credibility of the 2023 election in Essien Udim local government poll.
The BVAS, he explained would reduce factors that trigger violence and thuggery that characterised elections in the constituency in the recent past.
Akpabio stated this weekend in Essien Udim LGA while inaugurating the Akemini Awasi Campaign Council to oversee his 2023 House of Assembly campaigns.
He noted that the introduction of BVAS by INEC is one innovation that has further confirmed that the deployment of technology in our electoral process as well as other aspects of our national life is the surest way towards achieving sustainable electoral reforms and accelerated national development.
The House of Assembly hopeful said BVAS will help achieve the verification of the genuineness of the PVCs and the fingerprint or facial authentication of voters during accreditation and also replace the Z-pad for uploading the polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in real-time on election day.
The device, he stressed, also serves as INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) during voter registration and eliminates the use of incident forms during accreditation on election day.
According to Akpabio, the ability of BVAS to read Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and authenticate voters – using the voters’ fingerprints in order to prove their eligibility at a particular polling unit, will help reduce to the nearest minimum cases of electoral irregularities.
He advocated for continuous door-to-door, unit-to-unit and ward-to-ward mobilisation by his supporters and all PDP members so as to ensure victory for all PDP candidates in 2023.
He assured Essien Udim people of effective legislative representation when elected, saying his victory at the polls will usher in a new dawn that will change the narrative for the good of Essien Udim people.
The AkeminiAwasi Campaign Council has Obong M.A. Afangideh as Grand Patron, Obonganwan Mfon-Abasi Nsima Akpabio and Mrs Christiana Nsima Akpabio as Grand Matrons while Hon Emmanuel Useh is the Chairman, Campaign Council.
Other members of the campaign council include: Hon John Ekanem, Obong Francis Obuji, Obonganwan Mfon Udoima, Mr Brendan Etokidem, Hon Emem Ekarika, Sir Peter Isobara, Chief Nsini Nyoyoko, Hon Aniekan Okon Akpan, and Obong Cosmas Essien.
Also appointed as members of the campaign council are: Prince Sunday Udioko, Hon Mary Charles, Elder Gabriel Udoma, Mr Udim Awa, Mrs Rose Thompson, Apostle Gregory Edo, Mrs Comfort Maurice, Mr. Itoro Columbus and Obong Nsini Umana.
Others are: Oliver Ebong Campaign Coordinator, Hon Sujin Inokon Vice Chairman (Essien Annnag), Obong Daniel Udoh Vice Chairman (Udim), Hon Anthony Luke Udoh Secretary General of Campaign Council while Hon Uduakobong Umoh is the Director General of the Campaign Council.
Mr. Samuel Ikpa is the Campaign Spokesperson, Hon Uduak Nathan Deputy Director General, Hon Martins Inyangetor Assistant Secretary General while Hon Cyril Udoh, Engr Camillus Umoh, Hon Esse Umoh, Hon Etido Ibekwe, Rt Hon Nse Ntuen, Barr Imowo Okpokpo and Barr Martin Umanah will serve as Patrons.
Similarly, the AkeminiAwasi Campaign Council has twenty directorates which include Finance led by Engr Oliver Ebong, Security/Intelligence led by Hon Anthony Luke, Legal Affairs led by Barr Micheal Ebong, Students Affairs led by Kufre Nkorok, Research and Documentation led by Mr Daniel Etokidem, Protocol and General Services led by Mr Nsini Umana, Support Groups led by Hon Boniface Inyang, Inter-Party Affairs led by Hon Cyril Udoh, Medical Service led by Dr Ekerete Dan, Contact and Mobilization led by Elder Prince Sunday Udioko.
Others are: Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation led by Barr Martin Umanah, Strategic Communication and Public Affairs led by Mr. Akan Esiwang, Venue led by Hon Eriuwem Umoren, Voter Education led by Prof Nnana Udom, Youth Affairs led by Mr Udim Awa, Women Affairs led by Mrs Umoh Anthony Luke, Welfare and Entertainment led by Sir Peter Isobara, Transport and Logistics led by Uduak Nathan, Labour Relations led by Hon John Ekanem and Trade/Market Affairs led by Mr. Maxwell Ikut.
