Nigeria's electoral commission, INEC, is gearing up for the 2027 general election, but concerns have emerged over the readiness of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). The system, which verifies voters through fingerprints or facial recognition, has been plagued by equipment failures and procedural weaknesses in recent polls. Electoral experts warn that these issues could undermine the credibility of the voting process if not addressed.
The BVAS has been used in several recent elections, including the Ekiti State governorship election, where observers reported malfunctions, particularly affecting elderly voters. In the Osun state governorship election, observation groups recorded mixed but largely functional BVAS performance. The Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) reported an 84.7 percent success rate for voter accreditation attempts statewide, while Yiaga Africa found that BVAS functioned without issues in 80 percent of its sampled polling units.
Despite these successes, concerns centre on the age of some devices, their operational efficiency, software compatibility, and whether INEC can show that its equipment will withstand the demands of a nationwide election. Oluwafemi John, head of research and programs at KDI, called for greater scrutiny of BVAS performance, arguing that its effectiveness cannot be taken for granted. He noted that some devices were procured around 2019 and 2020, raising questions about their remaining lifespan and the extent of maintenance and upgrades.
Section 47(2) of the Electoral Act requires voters to be accredited through BVAS or another technological device prescribed by INEC. The law also sets out a recovery path when devices fail, while preserving the signed paper result sheet when communications make electronic transmission impossible. Experts stress that comprehensive testing, preventive maintenance, and transparent reporting are crucial to ensuring the reliability of BVAS.
INEC has reportedly procured about 57,000 additional devices, but experts question whether the total inventory will meet the needs of the country's polling units. John emphasized that new purchases do not automatically solve issues of maintenance, configuration, software compatibility, or election-day support. He also highlighted the need for personnel to be trained to operate the equipment, troubleshoot problems, and follow approved procedures when electronic accreditation fails.
Software risks also form part of the discussion, with John citing Android 10 on some devices and asking whether its security support and compatibility would prove adequate. He called on INEC to clarify which software versions are in use, whether security assessments have been conducted, and how vulnerabilities are addressed. A full readiness programme must assess the entire system, including hardware, software, and administrative procedures.
The concerns underline the need for INEC to demonstrate that BVAS can perform consistently when voters are accredited. Experts stress that public confidence rests on the consistent and transparent operation of equipment, personnel, procedures, and reporting systems together.
Key points
- Nigeria's 2027 election preparations face concerns over BVAS reliability.
- Experts call for comprehensive testing, preventive maintenance, and transparent reporting.
- INEC must demonstrate BVAS can perform consistently during accreditation.
