INEC assures readiness of BVAS as Osun poll draws nearer

The machines are now accrediting both the old and new PVCs successfully. That is exactly why we conduct mock accreditation exercises—to identify and resolve any technical issues

By Moses Okorie

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed confidence in the readiness of its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) following a successful mock accreditation exercise conducted across selected polling units in Osun State ahead of the Aug. 15 governorship election.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance on Saturday after monitoring the exercise in parts of the state, saying the test confirmed that the commission’s accreditation technology was ready for deployment on election day.

According to him, the mock exercise was organised to evaluate the performance of the BVAS devices under real election conditions and to detect any technical issues before the governorship poll.

“I have visited four polling units, and from what I have observed, we are satisfied that the BVAS is functioning perfectly ahead of the election,” Amupitan said.

He noted that although officials initially encountered a challenge involving the recognition of some old Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), the issue was swiftly addressed by the commission’s technical team.

“The machines are now accrediting both the old and new PVCs successfully. That is exactly why we conduct mock accreditation exercises—to identify and resolve any technical issues before the main election. Our ICT Director has confirmed that the problem has been completely fixed,” he stated.

Amupitan stressed that the exercise was an important part of INEC’s preparations to ensure a seamless accreditation process and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

During the inspection tour, the INEC chairman visited the Post Office Polling Unit and St. Peter’s Primary School Polling Unit in Ward 1, Obokun Town, Obokun Local Government Area.

He also monitored the exercise at the Okinni/Olorunsogo/Ofatedo Okubanjo (Printing Press) Polling Unit in Egbedore Local Government Area and Ataoja Ward D, Ogo-Oluwa Kitan Polling Unit in Osogbo Local Government Area.

The mock accreditation exercise is one of the commission’s final pre-election activities aimed at ensuring that personnel, equipment and logistics are fully prepared for the conduct of a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State on August 15.