BVAS - Plans, purpose, failure and way out | Korede Teriba

What's BVAS?

The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is an electronic device launched by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), a body responsible for conducting elections in Nigeria, in 2021. It was used in conducting the just concluded 2023 presidential elections.

The technology was designed to verify Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and permit human recognition via a mechanism of biometric verification, using fingerprint and the facial recognition of voters. The device also captures images of result sheets from polling units(Form EC8A) and uploads the sheet's image on the INEC’s Election Result Viewing platform (IReV).

The IReV is an online portal on which election results from polling units are uploaded, transmitted, and published for the public viewership. In addition, the portal allows members of the public to create personal accounts to access polling units’ results as Portable Document Format(PDF) files.

BVAS, a technological innovation in the conduct of election, has made elections easier and efficient with its mechanisms of uploading result sheets from polling units to INEC server which is also known as IReV. BVAS and IReV, however, raised sceptism among the political elite because of its innovative nature. But these technologies proved to be a stepping stone in ensuring a transparent democratic process though it had its lapses.

 

How does BVAS Technology Works?

BVAS is pertinent in substantiating the legitimacy of voters’ cards and voters in accreditation. It works by scrutinizing the barcode/QR code on the PVC/Voter’s register or entering the last six digits of the Voter Identity Number to verify voters.

In addition, it works as the INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) during voters' registration. Its use eliminates manipulation during accreditation.

 

Fears of Manipulation

However, the BVAS technology has generated fears, of manipulation, in some quarters but INEC  assured Nigerians that elections, with BVAS, can't be manipulated.

Prof. Mohammad Kuna, Special Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, allayed the fears of Nigerian, stating that electronic device's design makes it impossible for anyone to manipulate results uploaded to IReV via BVAS. In his words,

“With the nature of BVAS, the uploaded polling units (PUs) results cannot be manipulated. The machine was not designed to edit the photographic results uploaded and sent to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV); and once sent cannot be recalled."

 

Failures?

The technology has been used for three elections in Nigeria. It was firstly used in September 10, 2021, when it was deployed to the Isoko South Constituency 1 bye-election in Delta State. Complaints arose from the machine having difficulties capturing the thumbs and faces of some of elderly voters.

 

There were complaints about the device's potency when it was used for the Anambra state gubernatorial election in November 2021. It failed to capture voters' pictures. The Anambra gubernatorial election was extended from 2:30pm to 4pm because of BVAS's malfunctioning. 

To reduce BVAS failure, ICT experts have proffered solutions - the device needs regular software updates.

 INEC was also advised to conduct a proper routine-check of the technology to prevent disenfranchisement of voters in elections. Strengthening of  the infrastructure behind the technology was also advised.

Author: Korede Teriba