International Journal of Political Science and Development

Vol. 11(1), pp. 12 -19. November, 2023. 

ISSN: 2360-784X

https://doi.org/10.14662/ijpsd2023050

 

Full Length Research

 

Credible Election in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects of Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) Technology

 

Adekunle Ogunmilade1, O. J. Akhigbe (Ph.D)2 and M. Z. Momodu3

 

1Department of Office Technology and Management, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State. Corresponding author’s Email: adekunleogunmilade22@gmail.com 2Department of Office Technology and Management, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State 3Department of Office Technology and Management, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State. E-mail: Mustaphazekeri123@gmail.com  

 

Accepted 25 October 2023

Abstract

This paper reflected on the February 2023 elections with an over 210 million population, Nigerians go to the polls every four years to choose their representatives at the local, state and federal government levels. The Independent National Electoral Commission, the apex body for election conduct in the country, has been saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the electioneering process while ensuring credibility. Despite efforts of the commission to keep the electoral process as transparent as possible, there have been widespread reports of electoral malpractice aided sometimes with violence. Hence, INEC had over the years sought for the deployment of technological innovation to improve the credibility and safety of the electoral process in Nigeria. The use of such technology includes Permanent Voter Card (PVC), Z-Pad, INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED), INEC Results Viewing Device (IReV), Card Reader and Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). INEC’s Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) may not have been maximally put into use with the failure to allow for the electronic transmission of results in real time, thus giving room for manipulation; it should still be considered as a major breakthrough. It concluded that with the right technology, commitment to making technology work and the determination of the citizens and their active participation in the electoral process, Nigerians can truly determine who leads them and make their leaders accountable.

 

Keywords: Credible Election, Challenges and Prospects of BVAS Technology.

 

Cite This Article As: Adekunle O., Akhigbe, O.J., Momodu, M.Z. (2023). Credible Election in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects of Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) Technology. Int. J. Polit. Sci. Develop. 11(1): 12-19