We will resolve BVAS glitches before governorship poll – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerian voters that the Biamodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) will run optimally ahead next Saturday’s governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
This was disclosed by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja on Saturday, March 4.
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According to the chairman, the Commission has intensified efforts in reviewing the BVAS technology following the lapses on the device encountered by electoral officers during the presidential and national assembly elections held last Saturday, February 25.
The chairman noted that its state offices had received complaints and petition as regards the conducted of the elections adding that concerned parties should seek redress.
He said, “Arising from last week’s election, the Commission has received reports from our State offices well as complaints and petitions from political parties and candidates. Where infractions of any kind are proven, there will be redress. I must add that any action taken by the Commission is without prejudice to the rights of parties and candidates to seek further remedy as provided by law.
“On Election Day technology, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will once again be deployed for voter accreditation and result management. The deployment of BVAS has gone a long way to sanitise voter accreditation as can be seen from the result of recent elections.
He urged RECs to work harder to overcome challenges ahead of Saturday’s poll.
The chairman warns that RECs will be held responsible for any glitches that will arise from collation centres during the governorship and the state assembly elections.
“Since last week, the Commission has intensified the review of the technology to ensure that glitches experienced, particularly with the upload of results are rectified. We are confident that going forward the system will run optimally.”
“As we approach the Governorship and State Assembly elections, we must work harder to overcome the challenges experienced in the last election. Nothing else will be acceptable to Nigerians.
“All staff found to be negligent, whether they are regular or ad hoc officials, including Collation and Returning Officers, must not be involved in forthcoming elections. RECs must also immediately initiate disciplinary action where prima facie evidence of wrongdoing has been established.
“Election Day logistics must be finalised days before the election and handled by the Electoral Officers (EOs) at Local Government level. This has been our standard practice. Centralising the process as was done in some States resulted in delayed deployment of personnel and materials and late commencement of polls.
“RECs will be held responsible for any tardy arrangement or the failure to deploy electric power generators to collation centres or polling units where such facilities are needed. The Commission has enough facilities in all the States of the Federation. Failure to deploy them is simply inexcusable.”
