2023 Election: Yaya Bauchi expresses concerns over BVAS displacement
The member representing Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Yaya Bauchi Tongo has expressed worry over BVAS displacement in his polling unit.
He however, urged voters in his Toungo town in Funakaye Local Government Area (LGA) of Gombe State to be calm as INEC rectify issues of displacement of Bimodal Voters Accreditation (BVAS).
The lawmaker who expressed concerns over mis-arrangement of the BVAS machines in various polling units across the ward made the call shortly after casting his vote at Unguwan-Bauchi polling unit 001 in Toungo ward Funakaye LGA.
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Yaya-Bauchi who is seeking reelection into the house of reps also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rectify the issue and allow his people to exercise their franchise in voting in the next set of leaders in the country.
He said, “I have been told that ballot box for the presidential election was taken to one of the polling unit, only boxes for the Senate and Rep members were provided at the unit. Meanwhile, at other units the BVAS provided were not fully charged for the execirse.
Even though the officials assured that the issue is being rectified, this displacement and other challenges identified in this ward has presented a very big challenge for voters in my area,” he said.
Reacting, the Presiding Officer (PO) of Yarda polling unit in Toungo ward, Sa’id Muhammad Abdullahi, confirmed the displacement of the BVAS meant for his unit.
“We came to the unit at around 9am and after setting up our equipment we discovered that the BVAS we were given was not for the polling unit. We have contacted the Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) and they are working to resolve the issue.
We have urged the voters to remain calm and wait, the issue will be resolved and they will soon be given the opportunity to cast their votes,” the PO assured reporters at the polling unit.
NorthEast Star gathered that the election process has been calm and peaceful across Gombe state. We observed at several polling units that the voters were on ground long before the arrival of the electoral officials.
