BVAS Can Function Offline During Voting – Yakubu
Mr. Mahmood Yakubu, former INEC Chairman, explained how the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) works during elections, addressing concerns about network issues.
He stated that the device does not need internet access at polling units, allowing voter accreditation and verification to proceed smoothly even in areas with poor connectivity.
The former chairman noted that internet access is only necessary when transmitting results.
Scanned images of polling unit results can be uploaded once staff reach areas with network coverage.
INEC has been working with telecommunications providers to reduce network blind spots and ensure the process runs smoothly.
The clarification comes as the Senate amended Section 60 of the Electoral Act to require electronic transmission of results to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IREV), while permitting manual results to stand if the electronic system fails.
INEC insists that accreditation and voting will not depend on internet access, and all results can eventually be transmitted electronically once network issues are resolved.
