Ondo West Voters Struggle As BVAS Faces Technical Issues, INEC Assures Fix

Ondo West Voters Struggle As BVAS Faces Technical Issues, INEC Assures Fix

Issues with the Bio-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) have been reported in Ondo West, where elderly voters at Polling Unit 19, Ward 11, Olamojuba, faced difficulties in having their faces captured during the ongoing...CONTINUE READING

Ondo State governorship election.

Angela Oshogwe, the Presiding Officer at the polling unit, revealed that the BVAS machines failed to properly capture the biometric data of several elderly voters. She reported the issue to the relevant authorities, who confirmed that the problem was not limited to her polling unit.

As a result, a number of elderly voters were left stranded at the polling unit, unable to cast their votes due to the technical malfunction.

In response, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), acknowledged the issue, confirming that it affected only a few polling units.

“We are aware of cases where a small number of elderly voters faced difficulties being accredited by the BVAS during the first attempt,” Oyekanmi stated. “However, the problem was resolved on subsequent attempts.”

He emphasized that such technical issues were not uncommon in major elections and that INEC had made adequate provisions to address any challenges.

“We have over 3,900 polling units in Ondo State, and a single report from one Presiding Officer does not reflect the full extent of any problem,” Oyekanmi explained. “Overall, the BVAS system is performing well, and we anticipated minor technical challenges, which we are addressing as they arise.”

One of the affected voters, Mrs. Agnes Olapade, a septuagenarian, expressed her frustration at being unable to vote. “I’ve been here since 8:00 a.m. with others who are also affected. It’s disappointing, especially since I had no problems voting in past elections,” Olapade said.

Similarly, Mrs. Rukayat Olawoye, 87, also shared her disappointment. “I came out to vote, but the BVAS issue has made it difficult for me to participate,” she said.

Another elderly voter, Mrs. Ronke Fayankimi, said she would continue to wait in hopes that the BVAS would eventually capture her data so she could vote.

Despite the frustrations expressed by the elderly voters, INEC’s Oyekanmi assured that the situation was being addressed and that the commission remained committed to ensuring a smooth electoral process.