CSO laments BVAS failure in governorship elections

A Civil Society Organisation (CSO) has expressed concern over the poor performance of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machine in some polling units during the governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States.

The BVAS is the device used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to verify voters using their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and biometric or facial recognition technology.

The elections took place on Saturday, November 11, in the three states.

The Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Yunusa Ya’u, told reporters in Abuja that the BVAS worked well in most polling units across the states but failed in some areas.

He said, “The Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned well in most polling units across the three states. However, there were reports of malfunctioning machines.”

He cited some examples of the BVAS failure in Bayelsa and Kogi States.

“In Bayelsa State, there were cases of malfunctioning in PU003 RA11 in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area. Also, PU008 RA03 in Ekeremor LGA had issues with the fingerprint and facial recognition of some eligible voters.

“Some eligible voters were unable to vote due to BVAS malfunctioning in PU003 in Idah LGA (of Kogi State).

He also noted the difference in the arrival of election materials and the opening of polls in the three states.

He said, “The situation room observed a variation in the arrival of election materials and the opening of polls in the three states.

“According to our field observers, most of the polling units in Kogi State, 86 percent, opened by the official opening time of 8:30 am, while in Bayelsa State, 66 percent of the polling units visited opened by 8:30 am.

“In Imo State, the opening of polls was delayed in many polling units, as our observers reported that only 26 percent of the polling units opened by 8:30 a.m.