Groups calls on INEC to improve on BVAS Technology and General Electoral Process ahead of March 11 Polls

The Intercontinental Leadership Initiative in collaboration with a coalition of observer group have asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve on the Biomodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the general process of ballot sorting and counting in future elections.

This according to the group was responsible for the various levels of tension and apprehension at various polling units and collation centers.

The group made this known in a post-election press conference held in Jos the Plateau State capital. The group said that during the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, voters were seen at polling unit late into the night and even into the early hours of the morning either waiting to vote or observing sorting and counting.

The group noted that the general apprehension and agitations across some units which spread to collation centers was as a result of the delays experienced in the operation of the BVAS, ineffective upload of results and other related challenges.

The group also observed poor logistics and security during the polls, adding that the INEC National Chairman Prof Madmood Yakubu had promise Nigerians that these issues were going to be tackled and that the commission was ready for the polls, only to have the same issues frustrate the electoral process, delay electoral staff and materials, leading to wide spread delays in the commencement of voting.

They hailed the resilience of Nigerians for coming out in their numbers to exercise their franchise and for voting for their choice. They also used the opportunity to hail INEC for ensuring that the process was free fair and credible.