INEC Chairman Amupitan Pleased with BVAS Performance During FCT Mock Accreditation

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has voiced its approval of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) following a mock accreditation conducted at various polling units in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday.

In an address while inspecting the polling units in Abuja, INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan referred to the BVAS technology as a significant advancement.

Mr. Amupitan noted that the BVAS had undergone considerable enhancements to secure the integrity of the upcoming FCT Area Council elections.

According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the mock exercise took place across 289 selected polling units and was aimed at assessing INEC’s readiness ahead of the main elections set for February 21.

He stated that the purpose of the mock exercise was to evaluate the BVAS's performance and to identify any possible issues that might emerge before election day.

"We don’t intend to use the main election to test functionality. This mock accreditation and election serve as a preliminary test for both the BVAS technology and the improvements that have been implemented," he said.

“So far, I am very pleased with how well the BVAS has functioned. Voter accreditation took an average of five seconds or less.

“At this particular polling unit, for instance, approximately 11 individuals have been accredited and have cast their votes.

"We also attempted to have someone who had already voted return to check if the BVAS would allow it, and indeed, the BVAS promptly indicated that the individual had been accredited.

"With this technology, it's impossible to be accredited or vote multiple times," Mr. Amupitan added.

He addressed concerns regarding voter apathy, acknowledging it as a persistent issue, but indicated that the mock exercise also helped to raise awareness and mobilize the electorate.

“It is part of INEC's duties to conduct civic education, but it is not our role to campaign; that responsibility lies with the political parties,” he stated.

He urged political parties to champion election awareness and encouraged FCT residents to participate actively and "shape their tomorrow" on election day.

On the topic of material deployment, Mr. Amupitan revealed that all non- sensitive materials have been organized and distributed.

When asked about potential technological hurdles in rural areas, the INEC chairman assured the public that the BVAS includes internal security protocols, and presiding officers are equipped with mobile hotspots as backup solutions to ensure uninterrupted results transmission.

Regarding the ongoing discussions around electronic results transmission, he mentioned that INEC is anticipating the conclusive harmonization of the Electoral Act amendments by the National Assembly.

In a visit to Government Secondary School, Garki, Area 10, where the training of Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) was in progress, Mr. Amupitan urged the trainees to familiarize themselves with their manuals and to fulfill their roles in the electoral process responsibly.

“You will be on the ground during the elections, and your contributions are vital. We must not let the public down.

“View this as a commitment to the advancement of our nation," he emphasized.

The polling units visited in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) included locations such as 018 Area 10/Post Office, City Centre Ward in Garki; PUs 064 and 008 in the Junior Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone III/GSS Wuse1, Wuse Ward.

Others comprised PU 003 Sagwari Primary School in Dutse Alhaji and PU001 Ushafa I & II/Ushafa Primary School in Ushafa Ward within Bwari Area Council.

Electoral officers managing the designated polling units reported that the BVAS was functioning optimally.

“It takes an average of five seconds to accredit each voter using the BVAS,” stated Umar Abdullahi from PU 003, Sagwari.

Abdul Sule, a registered voter accredited during the exercise, remarked on its efficiency, expressing hope for a smooth and successful election on Saturday, February 21.

NAN additionally noted the presence of political party agents from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in several polling units to observe the mock accreditation exercise.