Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is an electronic device designed to read permanent voter cards (PVCs) and authenticate voters using the voters' fingerprints in order to prove that they are eligible to vote at a particular polling unit.
The usage of BVAS entails either scanning the barcode on the PVC or entering the last six digits of the voter identity number (VIN) or putting in the last name of the voter in the device by the INEC Assistant Presiding Officer (APO1) to verify and authenticate the voter.
The compact device replaces the Z-pad for uploading the polling unit result to the INEC result viewing portal (IReV) in real time on election day.
It also acts as the INEC voter enrollment device (IVED) during voter registration. It's usage has also eliminated the use of incident forms during accreditation on an election day.
The twin technology of BVAS and IReV is a defensive wall against 10 most pervasive weaknesses in Nigeria's election result management process, namely;
1. Falsification of votes at polling units.
2. Falsification of number of accredited voters.
3. Collation of false results.
4. Mutilation of results and computational errors.
5. Swapping of results sheets.
6. Forging of results sheets.
7. Snatching and destruction of results sheets.
8. Obtaining declaration and return involuntarily.
9. Making declaration and return while result collation is still in progress.
10. Poor record keeping.
BVAS was first deployed in the Isoko south constituency 1 bye-election in Delta State on 10th September 2021.
The usage of this technology - BVAS is enhancing the transparency of election results and boosting public trust in electoral outcomes in recent elections in Nigeria.
Article composed and written by Akachukwu Douglas Okoronkwo from Amaokwe-Item
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