BVAS Malfunction Causes Disruptions In Ondo South Bye-Election

Voting in yesterday’s Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election suffered disruptions in some polling units following the malfunctioning of  Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS .

The election was also marked by widespread disregard for the police-imposed restriction on vehicular movement across the district.

The bye-election is being conducted to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of former senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations. Despite the challenges, the exercise commenced peacefully in the six Local Government Areas making up the district.

At Mahin Ward 4, Unit 13, in Okitipupa Local Government Area, accreditation was delayed for several hours due to poor network connectivity affecting the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

Scores of voters were left waiting as election officials struggled to process accreditation.

One of the affected voters, Bunmi Adeniyi, expressed frustration over the delay. “For over one hour now, I have been waiting, but I have not been able to get accredited to vote. The INEC officials told us that the BVAS is experiencing network failure,” she said.

An INEC official, Samuel Idowu, blamed the challenge on poor internet connectivity.

“We are using the Glo network, so we don’t have smooth access to the internet. We have already appealed to residents to exercise patience with us,” he said.

‎Idowu disclosed that 39 voters had successfully cast their ballots before the technical challenge worsened. He added that efforts were ongoing to restore normal operations at the polling unit.

‎Meanwhile, the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mutiu Agboke, acknowledged the problem but described it as a general network issue affecting some polling units. He said the commission’s technical team was already working to resolve the challenge.

‘’We have seen that there are some network problems. It is a general thing. The important thing is that there is no crisis anywhere,” Agboke stated, noting that most polling units opened early and there were no reports of violence.

‎National Commissioner of INEC, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, also assured voters that the commission would address the problem. He stressed that all voters already on queue before the close of polls would be attended to regardless of the delay.

‎’’It is a general problem and not necessarily our problem. Anybody who is already on the queue will still be attended to, even if it is 6 p.m.,” Ajayi said.

‎Meanwhile, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, after casting his vote at Polling Unit 5, Ward 4, Obenla, in Ilaje Local Government Area, expressed confidence in the conduct of the election. He predicted that about 100,000 voters would participate in the exercise.

‎’’We expect to get a very good number, like less than 100,000, because it is a bye-election. I know if it is a general election it would be way more than that,” the governor said.

He also assured residents of “adequate security and a peaceful process.’’

‎Commenting on the exercise, OSOPADEC Chairman, Olabiyi Poroye, said voters remained enthusiastic despite the setbacks.

“The people are willing, and you can see that they came out as early as possible. But naturally, because of network problems, we are having some challenges,” he said.