The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) for the upcoming governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states. The elections are scheduled for Saturday, November 11, 2023.
According to a statement by Mary Nkem, INEC’s Acting Director of Voter Education and Publicity, the BVAS and IReV are technological innovations that will enhance the transparency and credibility of the electoral process. She said the BVAS will verify the genuineness of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and authenticate the voters through fingerprint or facial recognition. The IReV will allow the public to view the results from each polling unit in real-time as the presiding officers upload them.
Nkem said the commission had resolved all the issues that affected the BVAS and IReV during the 2023 presidential election, marred by glitches and delays. She said the commission had conducted a mock exercise in all three states to test the functionality of the devices and the network connectivity. She assured Nigerians that the devices would work effectively and efficiently on election day.
She also said the commission had made adequate arrangements for the timely delivery of sensitive materials to the polling units, including the accommodation of ad hoc staff near the polling units a day before the election. She said the sensitive materials would be moved from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) vaults to the states by Monday.
The BVAS and IReV are part of INEC’s efforts to improve the quality of elections in Nigeria and reduce the incidence of electoral malpractice and violence. The commission has faced criticism from some political parties and stakeholders who have expressed doubts about the reliability and security of the devices. However, the commission has maintained that the devices are in line with the Electoral Act and the Constitution and will not compromise the sovereignty of the voters.
The BVAS and IReV have also received support from civil society groups and international observers who have commended INEC for adopting technology to promote electoral integrity and accountability. They have urged the commission to ensure that the devices are deployed transparently and inclusively and that all parties respect the results.
The governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states are expected to be keenly contested and closely watched by Nigerians and the international community. The elections will serve as a litmus test for INEC’s preparedness and performance ahead of the 2023 general election.
Source: BusinessDay NG
