2023 Elections: Ondo INEC takes delivery of 3933 BVAS; We have received BVAS_ Plateau REC

The Ondo State Resident Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Rufus Akeju said the commission has taken delivery of 3,933 Bimodal Voters Accreditation System ( BVAS ) ahead of the 2023 elections.

Akeju who disclosed at a news conference in Akure said the commission has taken delivery of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials in the state

He disclosed that more polling units have been created in the state for easy access to the electorate and for the commission to serve the people better.

According to him, INEC has put in place measures to prevent cronies of politicians from being engaged as ad hoc staff for the 2023 general elections.

The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, and the Information Resources of Enduring Value, IREV are both new addition to the Country’s Electoral Process by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The new additions are expected to enhance the nation’s electoral process and continue the continuous drive toward a free, fair, and Credible Election at all times.

The BVAS and IREV systems according to a Legal Practitioner and former Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, Mr Mike Igini, have helped in reducing the litigations that come with each election cycle.

The systems according to Igini have been used in conducting over 105 Elections, By Elections and Re-Run Elections in the last few months with non of the Elections coming under challenge in Court for the process or its conduct.

He said the litigation against all the elections conducted using BVAS has been on the qualifications or eligibility of candidates which he said is a good development.

Ekeji urged Politicians and All Nigerians to go out and collect their Permanent Voter Cards, PVC which he said is important going into the 2023 Elections.

He described both systems as game changers for a free, fair, and credible election.

Again, the Plateau State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Oliver Tersoo Agundu has taken delivery of the BVAS machines meant for the State.

The BVAS is expected to be shared across the total number of polling units in Plateau during next year’s general elections for the purpose of accreditation of prospective voters.

Recall that in line with the new Electoral Act, of 2022, which has allowed the deployment of technology in Nigeria’s electoral system, INEC has sanctioned the deployment of BVAS as the sole means of accreditation for the 2023 polls.

Agundu said, “The delivery of the machines today signifies the absolute and early preparedness of INEC to conduct the 2023 general election without hitches as planned by the Commission.

“It is expected that in the coming days, the State Office will carry out performance checks on each of the units received, to ascertain their respective functionality status before they are finally kept securely for usage at the general election next year.”

According to him, “With this delivery, Plateau State has joined the league of States that have so far received their share of BVAS which is generally described as a game changer in the evolution of Nigeria’s electoral system.”

The REC, who commended the Chairman of the Commission and the entire INEC family for the timely supply of the BVAS, equally praised the Nigerian Air force for their complimentary role and commitment to democratic consolidation in Nigeria.

He further pledged to deploy the BVAS during upcoming polls as stipulated, to ensure “credibility, transparency, fairness and inclusiveness” in the 2023 exercise.

Agundu was in the company of the Administrative Secretary, Barr Mrs Caroline Okpe, Head of Departments of Operations, ICT, and other staff of INEC in Plateau State.

The REC calls on all registered voters in the State who are yet to collect their PVCs to hasten up and do the needful.