By Passman Akpos
Abuja – Former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu has clarified that Nigeria’s Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) operates offline at polling units, amid rising public concern over network-related challenges during elections.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, Yakubu explained that the BVAS device does not require internet connectivity to function on election day. “The machine on election day does not require internet for upload, it works offline,” he stated.
According to Yakubu, internet access is only necessary when transmitting results, particularly the scanned images of polling unit result sheets. “When it comes to transmission of results, that’s where it needs network. But if there is no network in the immediate vicinity, the scanned image of polling unit level result which is taken using BVAS will be transmitted as soon as the staff move from the polling unit to the collation centre,” he added.
Yakubu also noted that INEC has been collaborating with telecommunications providers to address “blind spots” with weak or no network coverage. “We are satisfied that there are blind spots that can be addressed,” he said.
The clarification comes as the Nigerian Senate recently amended the Electoral Act, revising Section 60 to mandate electronic transmission of results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IREV). However, the amendment also allows manual result sheets (Form EC8A) to take precedence if electronic transmission fails, a provision critics say could undermine transparency.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio defended the amendment, insisting that lawmakers who opposed it should formally move a counter-motion. Yet, the changes have triggered public backlash, street protests, and calls for accountability.
Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore joined protesters under the #OccupyNASS campaign, accusing the political elite of manipulating electoral laws to block genuinely free elections. “We know why they are doing it. These people cannot win in free and fair elections. But the people have a duty to demand processes that guarantee free, legal and transparent elections,” Sowore stated.
INEC had introduced BVAS to improve transparency by accrediting voters biometrically and uploading polling unit results to the public portal. Yakubu’s remarks underline the commission’s stance that the accreditation process is independent of network access, while electronic transmission of results is contingent on connectivity availability.
As debates continue over the reliability of election technology and the integrity of newly amended laws, Nigerians remain wary of whether these measures will strengthen or weaken the country’s electoral process.
