As the November 6 Anambra governorship election approaches, female voters in the state have been advised to avoid using makeup on the day of the election.
The advice is coming from the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) at a programme organized by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, United States Agency for International Development, and the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening.
The programme is a voters’ education and sensitization forum for Persons With Disabilities and Women’s groups.
INEC State Deputy Director, Gender Desk, Chika Osuji said the advice becomes necessary because of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) the agency would deploy to capture voters’ faces during the poll.
Osuji, said “The BVAS will be used during the Anambra gubernatorial election to enable voters to use their fingerprints during accreditation at the polling units.
“I know many women may not be able to engage makeup artists due to restriction of movements; but for those who can’t do without makeups, we appeal to you to minimize the level of the painting.
“If we can’t read your fingerprints we can read your face, and if we cannot read your face, you are not a registered voter, and we will not allow you to participate.”