100 days to 2023 elections: No going back on BVAS — INEC insists

100 days to the 2023 General Election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted that there is no going back on the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) for the polls.

According to INEC, BVAS and IReV had been introduced for the purpose of guaranteeing transparent accreditation and uploading of polling unit results for citizens to view in real-time on election day.

The INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made this known on Wednesday in his message to Nigerians to mark 100 days to the next year’s General Election.

With this message coming from the INEC Chairman, all the rumours tilting towards the tendencies that the electoral umpire might jettison the use of this technology for 2023 elections as contained in the 2022 amended electoral act has just failed.

Given some hitches the use of BVAS had cause in some recently conducted elections, some had argued that many voters might be disenfranchised if the machines decide to misbehave.

However, many observers of political events in the country have also disclosed that the use of BVAS during Osun and Ekiti States elections came with very minimal hindrance.

Akin Ewebanjo, a public affairs analyst while speaking with our Correspondent on the use of Bimodal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS) disclosed that any right thinking citizen who really wants things to get better for the country won’t stand in the way of BVAS.

Ewebanjo said, “Any step that could make us have free and fair election in such a way that the votes of the people will count must be supported by everyone and that is why I know that those who are complaining of the BVAS are those who do not wish us well. They want us to keep going in cycle, but thankfully their plans can’t work,” he said.

Against the backdrop of some surreptitious moves to halt use of BVAS, the Presidency has reportedly promised Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari has no plans to remove INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over the use of BVAS, in the 2023 General Election.

The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina had also reportedly last week dismissed claims that INEC would be stopped from using BVAS in the next general election, recalling that the president had emphasised the need for technology in prosecuting a successful election and supports the course.

Adesina had said, “Recently, there was one group that said the Chairman of INEC was going to be removed because maybe they didn’t want BVAS. How many times has the President spoken about the role of technology in getting him into office?

“So, how and why can the same person have issues with BVAS? I saw that group on television, alleging that there was plan to remove the INEC Chairman and the media gave them that opportunity.”

Reacting to reports on social media claiming that a lawsuit was instituted before the Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State, seeking to stop INEC from using BVAS for the 2023 elections, INEC Commissioner, Mr. Festus Okoye said the use of BVAS for elections in the country is stipulated in the Electoral Act of 2022.

Okoye said the Commission is not scared of any legal action which may seek to challenge the legality of the use of BVAS adding that Nigerians have accepted its use and the commission will not relent on its commitment to improve the electoral process via technology.

He was quoted to have said, “The BVAS is domiciled within the confines of the Electoral Act of 2022 and we do not have any fear whatsoever in relation to the validity and legality of the BVAS and other technological and electronic devices we are using for elections.

“The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has given INEC the exclusive right, power and mandate to organise, undertake and supervise elections that are captured within the confines of the constitution. We are accountable to the people of this country and the people have accepted the BVAS as a game changer in our electoral process.”

The INEC Chairman in the message he personally signed pledged INEC’s loyalty to Nigerians who want free, fair, credible and verifiable elections supported by technology.

He said the Commission would continue to engage with relevant stakeholders to give Nigerians progress report on the preparations for the election and urged politicians to conduct their campaigns peacefully, eschewing divisiveness, rancour as well as violence.

The message read, “It is exactly 100 days today before polling units open at 8.30a.m. on Saturday 25th February 2023 for national elections (Presidential and National Assembly) and two weeks later on Saturday 11th March 2023 for State elections (Governorship and State Houses of Assembly).

“Once again, another general election is upon us, the 7th since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999. Over the last 23 years, we have made a steady progress in the twin areas of electoral reform and election administration. Although a lot of work still lies ahead, it is generally acknowledged that our elections are getting better and citizens’ confidence in the process is increasing.

“As I have said repeatedly, the Commission’s allegiance is to Nigeria. Our loyalty is to Nigerians who want free, fair, credible and verifiable elections supported by technology, which guarantees transparent accreditation and upload of polling unit results for citizens to view in real-time on election day.

“It is for these reasons that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) were introduced. There is no going back on the deployment of BVAS and IReV for the 2023 general election.

“Similarly, we will continue with our regular engagement with political parties, civil society organisations, the media and other critical stakeholders. Above all, Nigerians deserve the right to know about the progress we are making and the challenges (if any) we confront in our preparations for the General Election.

“Accordingly, in a couple of weeks, the Commission will start bi-weekly media briefings, followed by weekly briefings as we get closer to the election. In the week leading to the election, there will be daily briefings.

“I seize this opportunity to call on all citizens to participate fully in all electoral activities, particularly the ongoing display of the Register of Voters for claims and objections, as well as collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs). I also call on political parties and political leaders to conduct their campaigns peacefully, eschewing divisiveness, rancour and violence.

“As Nigerians are aware, election is a multi-stakeholder activity. We will continue to play our part diligently and conscientiously. We appeal to all stakeholders and, above all, citizens to play their own part so that working together, we can have the elections that Nigerians yearn for, and which the world expects from us.”