The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said a technical failure of its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to transmit results from some polling units will not automatically stop the collation of results in the 2027 general elections.
Key Highlights
- INEC says BVAS transmission failure at some polling units will not automatically halt result collation.
- INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan says the commission is upgrading BVAS and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) ahead of the 2027 elections.
- The commission has acquired 57,000 additional BVAS devices to improve accreditation and result transmission.
- INEC is replacing faulty inbuilt batteries in existing BVAS devices.
- Technical support teams will be deployed to polling units to address problems during elections.
- Where a BVAS-related problem cannot be resolved, voting may be shifted to the following day in the affected polling unit, in line with electoral provisions.
- INEC’s assurance comes after technical problems with IReV during the 2023 presidential election attracted widespread criticism.
The INEC chairman made this known on Tuesday during a question-and-answer session at the commission’s world press conference and stakeholders meeting.
Amupitan was responding to concerns over whether a recurrence of the technical problems that disrupted the electronic transmission of polling-unit results to the IReV during the 2023 presidential election could affect the 2027 elections.
INEC Upgrades BVAS, IReV For 2027 Elections
Amupitan said INEC was upgrading its electoral technology to improve the performance and reliability of BVAS and IReV.
He said the commission had acquired 57,000 additional BVAS devices, including devices with inbuilt batteries, as part of preparations for the 2027 elections.
“When we’re talking about technology upgrades, I told you that we are doing some work with regard to our BVAS and also our IReV to ensure optimal performance,” Amupitan said.
He added that it was unlikely for BVAS to fail across all polling units simultaneously, stressing that INEC was taking steps to minimise technical disruptions.
“It is not possible for BVAS to fail everywhere. We are doing everything possible; that is why we have even acquired an additional 57,000 BVAS, as well as inbuilt batteries.”
INEC Says Localised BVAS Failure Won’t Stop Result Collation
The INEC chairman explained that a failure to transmit results from one polling unit or a group of polling units would not automatically bring the entire election to a halt.
According to him, the commission would assess the affected polling units and determine whether the technical problem had any impact on the overall outcome of the election.
“But, if for any reason there is an inability to transmit from a particular polling unit or from a group of polling units, that will not stop the election from continuing in other places,” he said.
Amupitan said where the affected polling units did not alter the outcome of the election, the failure would not necessarily prevent the collation of results.
“And if they do not affect the result of the election, that will not stop the collation of results. However, efforts will be made,” he added.
INEC Replaces Faulty BVAS Batteries
Amupitan said INEC was also replacing faulty inbuilt batteries in existing BVAS devices to reduce the risk of disruptions during the elections.
“We are changing most of the inbuilt batteries to ensure that we don’t have any issues relating to the transmission of the results,” he said.
The measure is part of the commission’s broader effort to improve the reliability of its electronic accreditation and results-transmission infrastructure ahead of the 2027 polls.
Voting May Be Postponed Where BVAS Failure Persists
The INEC chairman acknowledged that the Electoral Act provides a mechanism for postponing voting in a polling unit where BVAS fails and the technical problem cannot be resolved.
He said the commission had also strengthened its technical response system through Registration Area Technical Support Teams, which would intervene when technical problems occur at polling units.
According to Amupitan, the teams would maintain direct communication with polling units and work to resolve technical problems as they arise.
Where a problem cannot be resolved, he said voting could be shifted to the following day in the affected polling unit.
Read also:
- 48.8% of 2023 Presidential Election IReV Result Sheets Uploaded From Non-BVAS Devices, Analysis Finds
- 2027: INEC Sets Up AI Division To Detect Election Result Manipulation
- BREAKING: Nigeria’s Voter Register Hits 103 Million as INEC Sets October 9 for PVC Collection
INEC Recalls 2023 IReV Transmission Problems
The assurance comes three years after the controversial failure of IReV to upload presidential polling-unit results in real time during the February 25, 2023 presidential election.
INEC’s post-election report acknowledged that the failure to upload presidential results in real time became a major challenge and attracted widespread criticism.
The commission attributed the problems to technical issues, including configuration and mapping errors affecting the upload of presidential results, a surge in queued uploads and BVAS devices that were switched off or disconnected after presiding officers left polling units.
The breakdown also fuelled allegations of manipulation by opposition parties and heightened concerns over the credibility of the electronic results-transmission process.
2023 IReV Failure Raised Election Credibility Concerns
The European Union Election Observation Mission and other observers identified the failure of real-time transmission as a major weakness that increased the risk of manipulation and affected public confidence in the electoral process.
The experience has since remained a major reference point in discussions about Nigeria’s electronic results transmission system and the technological preparedness of INEC ahead of the 2027 elections.
INEC Promises Stronger Technical Response In 2027
With the 2027 general elections approaching, INEC says its technology upgrades, additional BVAS devices, battery replacements and technical support teams are intended to reduce disruptions and strengthen the electoral process.
Amupitan had earlier announced the acquisition of 57,000 new BVAS devices as part of the commission’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
For more 2027 election news, follow us on X.
