Multi-level collation biggest threat to elections, says INEC
• Amupitan warns errant officers of sanctions BVAS modified to curb manipulation The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified multi-level collation of results as the greatest threat to Nigeria’s
• Amupitan warns errant officers of sanctions BVAS modified to curb manipulation
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified multi-level collation of results as the greatest threat to Nigeria’s electoral process.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the commission has reconfigured the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) with safeguards to prevent manipulation of results transmitted to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
Speaking at a quarterly meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja, yesterday, he said presiding officers must upload images of completed Form EC8A to IReV and enter party scores directly into the BVAS.
“The BVAS performs internal validation checks to ensure votes do not exceed accredited voters and that figures are mathematically consistent,” he said, adding that the device flags over-voting.
He said the upgraded system was tested during the FCT Area Council and the Kano and Rivers State Constituency elections.
Amupitan warned that indiscipline and negligence would attract sanctions.
“You must strengthen supervision, ensure early deployment of personnel and materials, and hold Electoral Officers accountable. We cannot preach efficiency and practise excuses,” he said.
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“Any staff who fails to report for duty, arrives late without justification, or sabotages the process will face sanctions.”
He said a revised timetable for the 2027 General Election would be issued following the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, as an earlier notice was released under the old law. He also announced plans to clean up the voter register ahead of the polls.
On the FCT Area Council election, he described the exercise as peaceful but noted low voter turnout.
He dismissed claims of fresh voter migration, explaining that the exercise was conducted nationwide in 2022. To assist affected voters, the commission resent text messages and emails containing links to the Polling Unit Locator and re-displayed the register in affected areas.
He urged RECs to intensify voter education and encourage citizens to verify their polling units before elections.
On logistics, Amupitan said only 45 per cent of polling units opened by 8:30am in the FCT, describing it as unacceptable.
Staff responsible for delays in Kuje Area Council and Kabusa Ward have been queried, while a transporter linked to delays in Kwali Area Council will be blacklisted.
Despite initial delays, voting was concluded in all polling units, he said.
