Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi guber: INEC assures of improved BVAS performance

• Accredits 145 CSOs to observe elections

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has assured of

improved performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in voter accreditation and result upload in the forthcoming governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States and beyond.

This is as the Commission has accredited 145 Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, deploying 7, 896 observers for the three off-cycle governorship elections in the three states.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu disclosed these on Wednesday at the quarterly consultative meeting with members of CSOs at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Prof Yakubu made it succinctly clear that Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi governorship elections are critical to the Commission.

According the Chairman, “As you are aware, the Commission conducted a mock accreditation involving actual voters in designated polling units in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States two weeks ago.

“By doing so, we tested the efficacy of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for both biometric authentication of voters and the upload of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

“Some of you observed the mock accreditation exercise and viewed the results on the IReV portal.

“We have received no adverse report so far.

“By this, we are encouraged that the test was successful, and we look forward to improved performance of the BVAS in voter accreditation and result upload in the forthcoming Governorship elections and beyond”, he said with optimism.

Describing election as a multi-stakeholder activity, the INEC Chairman said, “In discharging our responsibilities, we will continue to engage with all stakeholders. One of such engagements is with the security agencies.

“In previous elections, civil society organisations have expressed concern about the safety of persons involved in elections as well as the protection of the process, including polling units and collation centres.

“Similarly, civil society organisations have on several occasions urged the Commission to intercede with the security agencies to grant you unimpeded access to voting and collation locations.

“I want to reassure you that we will continue to do so as we engage with the security agencies both at the national level and in the three States.

“At the same time, I wish to remind all accredited observers to strictly adhere to the code of conduct for election observation”, he stressed.

Prof Yakubu disclosed that the Commission has accredited 145 organisations deploying 7,896 observers.

He stressed that in the next few days, accredited organisations will be invited to collect the identity cards for their observers.

“Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi governorship elections are critical to the Commission. At this meeting, we will fully brief you about our level of preparations. In return, we will appreciate your comments and observations”, the INEC Chairman said.