2023: APC kicks against use of INEC’s BVAS, electronic transmission of election results

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has kicked against the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for the 2023 general election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The ruling party made this known on Wednesday in Abuja through its national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, while receiving a delegation from the Commonwealth on the 2023 general election to the party secretariat.

Mr Adamu expressed fear over the deployment of the technology, saying challenges of network failure and electricity problems could hinder the effectiveness of the BVAS and the electronic transmission of election results.

“First, I was privileged to serve as a senator. But our concern is how ready are we to deploy some of these technologies as regards transmission because we are taking a major step in transmitting election results in real-time,” Mr Adamu said. “To transmit results, every part of the nation – Nigeria, I’m not sure that the network covers it, I know that even in parts of Abuja, there is no network and we have from now till February when in substantial parts of the country, there is no electricity.”

Last year, the electoral body introduced the use of the BVAS during the Anambra governorship elections, allowing for the accreditation of voters through biometrics capturing, and uploading of polling results among other functions.

Despite repeated assurance from INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, the APC is insisting on being guaranteed that the device will not disappoint.

“INEC must assure us 100 per cent that as of when due in transmitting results, they are ready because they spoke about recharging batteries. But we heard in previous elections when it says it can’t recharge,” the ruling party chairman added.