2027: Stolen BVAS Threatens Voter Registration In Akwa Ibom

For the second time, criminals have reportedly carted away hundreds of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines at the Akwa Ibom State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Udoudoma Avenue, Uyo, the state capital, LEADERSHIP gathered.

Ahead of the off-season and general elections in 2027, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has slated August 18, 2025, for online continuous voter registration and August 25, 2025, for in – person registration of would – be voters.

But fears have been expressed that the recurring disappearance of BVAS machines at the Uyo INEC headquarters may stall the exercise in the state, more so with heightened concerns over attitude of the principal officers declining to provide information or speak officially on the matter.

Although, the new resident electoral commissioner (REC), Mr. Obo Effanga,  who addressed the media upon his assumption of duty penultimate week, had assured of a hitch-free exercise, officials lamented the process could be hampered by shortage of the vital facilities.

Findings revealed that the machines went missing on two separate occasions within a span of three weeks, with no official explanation from the commission, despite a police investigation said to be ongoing.

The storekeeper, Mr. Sunday Asuquo Jonah, who was reportedly invited by the police for interrogation, declined comments on the matter.

Similarly, the head of the Information and Communication (ICT), Mr. Cosmos Ezeoha, who confirmed the incidents lamented that he was still trying to recover from the shock of the first disappearance when this second one occurred.

He stated that he was waiting for  Commissioner Effanga, who discovered the first disappearance during a routine inspection, to make an official statement to the press, but could not address the matter during his maiden media interaction at the state headquarters about two weeks ago.

A member of INEC media team, Mr. Etim Bassey, said he was not authorised or qualified to speak on the matter, while efforts to reach the Head of Voter Education, Mrs. Bukola Ojeme, were unsuccessful.

The head of Administration, Mrs. Eme Akpa, was evasive, but was later discovered she had been transferred out of the state.

Some officials of the commission, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed anger and apprehension over the situation, while many of them discussed the ugly developments in hushed tones and unwilling to be quoted.

However, there are fears that the missing machines may affect the planned voter registration exercise earlier announced by the REC to commence across the state next month.

The repeated disappearance of the machines has sparked concerns over security lapses and lack of internal coordination within the Uyo office of the electoral body.