This is an important message that we must all read and forward to our people and groups.
1. INEC will be using BVAS (Bimordal Verification Accreditation System) in the coming General Election. It is replacing the Smart Card Reader used in previous General Elections from 2015.
2. It means before anyone with a PVC is allowed to cast his vote—the person must be accredited with the help of the BVAS Machine. If the person is not accredited, he will not be allowed to vote.
3. The BVAS accreditation will be through thumbprint and Facial Expression. It means, once a voter’s thumb is placed on the machine, the person’s information on the INEC portal will pop up. If the thumbprint doesn’t work, the BVAS machine will be placed across the person’s face to capture his image-once, it is captured by the machine, the person’s information will pop up and such voter will be accredited to vote.
4. The advantage of the BVAS is that it reduces rigging and electoral malpractices considerably. Now, a voter must be verified that he is the owner of the card before he will be accredited to vote. It is now one man, one vote.
5. This BVAS Machine has been used in different Bye and State Elections i.e. Delta State, Anambra State Gubernatorial Election 2021, FCT Council Election in February, and the recent concluded Ekiti State Gubernatorial Election.
THE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE BVAS MACHINE.
We ran a thorough research on the functionality of the BVAS machine through the reports received from the places it has been used so far for elections.
It’s just a common problem that was discovered: the BVAS machine couldn’t successfully accredit many voters through their facial expressions. Thus, many voters even with their PVCs were disenfranchised in those elections.
This issue affect particularly the aged people and those whose PVCs were given in 2010/2011, 2014/2015. The BVAS couldn’t successfully connect their present images with the ones uploaded years back during the registration processes.
We need to put a preventive measure in place now so that our people won’t be disenfranchised in the 2023 General Election.
SOLUTION
1. I would advise that those whose cards were given 2010/2011, 2014/2015, 2018/2019 should do revalidation which means they should upload their current images on the INEC Registration Portal.
2. The Voter’s Cards from 2010/2011 does not expire. It is permanent. So, you won’t be given a new card if you do revalidation, it only means you have uploaded your recent picture for accreditation purpose in the coming election.
AYOJIDE IBITOYE
National Youth Secretary
*Initiative for A Better and Brighter Nigeria IIBBN.
