Despite the reported Challenges on the use of the Bimodal Accreditation System (BVAs) in disputed Osun State election, former Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini has expressed optimism that the device remains the only sure way to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
Igini who stated that the electronic device was designed to read permanent voters’ cards (PVCs), said the youths in Nigeria would determine the outcome of this election.
The former REC disclosed that youths have the highest number of registered voters with 39.85% against middle aged Nigerians pegged at 36.25%.
He said the deployment of the BVAs has made easy it for youths to take ownership of the election.
His words:”I have so much hope on the use of the BVAs. It provides tremendous measure of hope for our democracy. With the BVAs, one cannot loose sleep over any attempt to manipulate the electoral process.”
According to him, the BVAs help to authenticate the voters by using their finger prints in order to prove that they are eligible to vote at a particular polling unit.
The Ex REC further explained that the BVAs usage entails either scanning the barcode/QR code on the PVC/Voter’s register or entering the last six digits of the voter’s identity number, or typing in the last name of the voter by the Assistant Presiding Officer (APO) to verify and authenticate the voter.
Igini said the APO then request the voter to place the appropriate finger on the spot provided on the BVAs, adding that if the finger print match fails, he captures the photo of the voter for authentication.
The former REC who also described this year’s general elections as a watershed that would help to redefine Nigeria, urged Nigerians to participate in the electoral process that would usher in a new dawn.
