The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is a new addition to Nigeria’s electoral process which is expected to help reduce cases of manipulation of figures.
It was designed to among others, solve the perennial problem of ballot box stuffing and over voting, a situation where the number of accredited voters and actual votes cast do not tally.
The BVAS machine is expected to identify and authenticate bears of permanent voters cards using either biometrics or facial recognition or both, and records the information once verified, and remains stored on the machine.
Election guidelines from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was clear that any voter not captured by BVAS cannot be introduced as captured on the machine and would not be allowed to vote.
In the months leading up to the elections, Nigerians were very optimistic about the BVAS machines, as they cannot be tampered with, as manufactured and configured. It was touted as the game changer.
But as is the case with some new technological inventions, some electorate were disenfranchised by BVAS while some were initially rejected but later verified, as election commenced on Saturday.
Former Governor of Jigawa, Sule Lamido was rejected by the BVAS at his Bamaina Primary School III polling unit, Bamaina, as it failed to recognise his face and fingerprint at first attempt.
He expressed worry over the situation but was later able to exercise his franchise after another attempt.
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike also suffered similar fate alongside his wife, Suzette, when they presented at Ward 9, Unit 7, Obio/Akpo Local Government Area on Saturday to cast their votes.
Three different BVAS machines were deployed but were unable to accredit the couple who had to leave.
They, however, returned and the governor was able to cast his vote at 12.50pm but the wife could not as the BVAS machine still failed to accredit her.
Former Governor Olusegun Osoba of Ogun State was outrightly disenfranchised by the BVAS at Unit 15, Ward 14, Omololu House, Ibara Housing, Abeokuta.
Osoba was at the polling unit at about 11am to cast his vote but the machine failed to accredit him.
The former governor left and returned at about 2:13pm but the machine failed a second time.
A disappointed Osoba said though sad, he had accepted his fate.
All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency, Moshood Oshun, was also unable to cast his vote at ward 008, polling unit 03, National Primary School, Abule Ijesha, Yaba, on Saturday, after being rejected by the BVAS.
Another person who suffered initial rejection from the BVAS was Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State.
The governor arrived at his Ward 5 Unit 6, Ijebu Owo 2 Polling Centre at about 10:47am, to cast his vote but there were initial glitches which made it impossible.
He, however, was able to vote after other attempts.
Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, also suffered initial rejection by BVAS. In a video shared on Twitter, she had complained about not being able to cast her vote, citing non-accreditation by the BVAS.
She later shared another update confirming that after other attempts, she had been accredited and had voted.
