The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) claimed on February 1 that some politicians in the country are plotting to manipulate the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) ahead of next month’s elections.
The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, stated this when he featured on Channels Television’s programme, Sunrise Daily.
He said: “There are some politicians who want us to open the brain of the BVAS [machine] so they can see inside the BVAS [machine], to see how it functions and for them to also see whether there’s a possibility for them to clone it or manipulate it and the commission will not do that.”
The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has charged Nigerians to arm themselves with their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to enable them to vote credible leaders in the 2023 general elections.
He also backed the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the technology that will be used for the accreditation and authentication of voters come 2023. (Watch Video Here)
Ortom stated this on Sunday at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Makurdi, the state capital, while delivering his goodwill message at a church service to mark this year’s Christmas celebration.
He stated that the country was going through pains, hardship, economic and security woes because those who were elected to lead the country at various levels have failed to leave up to their responsibility.
“The 2023 elections is the only opportunity we have. So those who are yet to collect their PVCs, please, I beg you in the name of God to do so because that is the only way you can exercise your franchise and restore hope and dignity to our country by electing leaders that have been tested and trusted who you can rely on and work with,” the governor said. (Watch Video Here)
Ortom said, “One vote can make a difference. So if you want a change that will bring dignity and restoration to our country and promote economic development and add value to the development of humanity and restore security, that vote will count.”
He encouraged the people to ensure that they participate in the forthcoming elections, saying, “This time, there is no snatching of ballot boxes because it will not be there for anybody to snatch. BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) will make a difference. And so your physical presence and participation is very important.”
There have been reports of late that politicians who are against the BVAS attempt to use the court of law to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from deploying BVAS and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in next year’s elections but the electoral body has consistently restated its commitment and determination to deploy the system for the 2023 general elections. (Watch Video Here)
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, OYC, has reacted to the fresh controversy over the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS and the INEC Results Viewing Portal, IReV, for the 2023 general elections.
The OYC said Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the National Chairman of the APC, should be placed on watchlist by security agencies and the international community for allegedly toeing a path capable of destroying Nigeria.
Noble Reporters Media reports that Adamu had on Wednesday, while speaking to a delegation from the Commonwealth Election Observation Mission, claimed that Nigeria was not yet ready for such technology.
He said, “Our concern is how ready are we to deploy some of these technologies as regards transmission.
“To transmit results, every part of the nation Nigeria I’m not sure that the network covers it.
“I know that even in parts of Abuja, there is no network, and we have from now till February when in substantial parts of the country, there is no electricity.”
Reacting to the development, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike accused the APC of trying to truncate Nigeria’s democracy.
Okwu said Adamu’s stand was a confirmation of earlier rumour of an ignoble attempt to remove the INEC chairman, Professor Yakubu Mahmood from office over his insistence to deploy technology to enhance the credibility of the electoral process.
“We are in deep shock over the unpopular statement made by the APC National Chairman, Senator Adamu. It is even more unpardonable considering that it is coming from the chairman of the ruling party.
“In countries of the world, a ruling party is expected to be in the vanguard of advancing democracy, but that is no longer the case with the APC.
“It is now confirmed that the Adamu-led APC is behind the rumoured plot to oust the INEC boss from office.
Advertisements
| RECOMMENDED
Advertisements
“However, his plot has failed; he has exposed himself as we the Nigerian youths will not let that happen.
“The 2023 general election is between the forces of darkness that have held this country down for decades and the future generation. There will be no hiding place for failed politicians and a million Adamu cannot frustrate that resolve.”
The youth group urged the INEC to “remain steadfast as the masses are with you. The commission should not bow to the wicked pressure as we shall march the evil forces; we shall resist the wicked forces who do not mean well for Nigeria.
“The youths will shut down this country should anyone attempt to toy with the future of Nigeria.
“The highest legacy President Muhammdu Buhari has bequeathed for this country is signing the amended Electoral Act and we shall give the INEC all the support to ensure its full application.
“We also urge President Buhari to stand with the masses and be wary of the likes of Adamu who are pursuing a selfish agenda.”
Okwu urged security agencies and the international community to “place Adamu and his collaborators on watchlist as they are poised to destroy Nigeria to realise their selfish agenda.”
PROFITABLE FOREX, BITCOIN AND BINARY TRADER. Do you require the service of a tested, trusted and experienced trader who can help you trade your online Forex, Bitcoin and Binary accounts for minimum 10-20% weekly profit?. Click here for details www.standfx.com, WhatsApp: +2348030797998
URGENT NEWS: Nigerians can now earn in US Dollars from home, let’s show you how our client earned $13,000 (₦9,600,000.00) on a premium domain name within 2 weeks of acquisition. Click here
Carlo Ancelotti’s team successfully added to their four cups from 2014 to 2018, and their triumph meant European teams have won the past 10 editions of the tournament.
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, on Monday, insisted on the need for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy the Bimodal Voter Registration System (BVAS) for the 2023 elections.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, also pushed for the establishment of a Electoral Offences Commission so that rogue politicians and compromised electoral referees will be punished and not allowed to jeopardise the next general elections.
The group said it is amazing how desperate politicians approach the Imo State High Court to get a restraining order to stop the deployment of BVAS by INEC in next year’s elections.
According to the group, next year’s general elections is a game-changer and a game over to politicians who have perfected the art and the act of rigging elections and perpetuate themselves in office like Methuselah.
Stipulated in the Electoral Act of 2022, BVAS is a technological system which allows for accreditation of voters through biometrics capturing, uploading of results online, amongst others.
It has been described by many as an upgrade of the smartcard reader used in the last general elections which achieved some results in the country’s electoral process.
BVAS and the Election Result Viewing Portal (IReV) represent two crucial technological advances for enhancing the transparency of election results and upscaling public belief in electoral outcomes.
According to INEC, these technologies are addressing the 10 most prevalent flaws in the nation’s election result management process such as alteration of votes at polling units, distortion of number of accredited voters, collation of false results, mutilation of results and computational errors, swapping of results sheets, forging of results sheets, snatching and destruction of results sheets, obtaining declaration and return involuntarily, making declaration and return while result collation is still in progress and poor record-keeping.
Last month, opposition political parties in Nigeria under the aegis of the Coalition of United Political Parties raised the alarm over an alleged plot to truncate the 2023 elections by politicians who oppose the use of BVAS. However, INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu has insisted that the commission is determined to deploy the BVAS technology for the conduct of a free, fair, credible and transparent election.
Commenting, HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “INEC must be resolute in the deployment of the BVAS for the electronic transmission of results of elections in Nigeria come 2023. Next year’s elections are crucial for Nigeria’s continued existence and the best man, the true representative of the people, should emerge through the ballot.
“The 2023 elections must never be allowed to be jeopardised by rogue politicians desperate to perpetuate themselves in power or for politicians so greedy that they think it is their turn to be the President of Nigeria and so they are prepared to use criminal means to manipulate the election. Nigerians must remain eternally vigilant.
“HURIWA also calls for the speedy passage and signing into law of the National Electoral Offences Commission to demonstrate that election-riggers will be dealt with, as argued by INEC chairman who said the work on the country’s electoral process would remain incomplete if electoral offenders continue to walk freely.
HURIWA believers that election offenders are as horrible as terrorists and economic saboteurs and so must be decisively dealt with by an unambiguously created independent commission backed up by an enabling Act but this commission must not be overstaffed or turned into job opportunities for political thugs but the commission’s staff strength should be pegged at 50 with the most competent Nigerians recruited to run it.
PROFITABLE FOREX, BITCOIN AND BINARY TRADER. Do you require the service of a tested, trusted and experienced trader who can help you trade your online Forex, Bitcoin and Binary accounts for minimum 10-20% weekly profit?. Click here for details www.standfx.com, WhatsApp: +2348030797998
URGENT NEWS: Nigerians can now earn in US Dollars from home, let’s show you how our client earned $13,000 (₦9,600,000.00) on a premium domain name within 2 weeks of acquisition. Click here
The alleged traditional ruler, wanted to know how many persons at the meeting had their PVCs and only about 20 answered in the affirmative, out of about 60 persons said…
Noble Reporters Media 