The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan, has declared a definitive end to voter impersonation in Nigeria. He credits the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for this significant achievement.

According to his Chief Press Secretary, Dayo Oketola, the INEC boss described BVAS as a “foolproof mechanism.” This system has effectively shut the door on identity theft, multiple voting, and accreditation-related malpractices.

“The BVAS device is our primary defense against identity fraud,” Amupitan stated. “It ensures only the rightful, eligible voter is accredited at the polling unit.” He added that biometric safeguards have now eliminated voter impersonation from Nigeria’s electoral system.

BVAS Efficiency and Legislative Support

Prof. Amupitan addressed an audience of technology professionals, policymakers, and civil society groups. He cited the recent Anambra Governorship election as strong evidence of BVAS efficiency.

He revealed that all 6,879 BVAS devices used in the poll performed commendably. Over 99% of polling unit results were uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) on Election Day.

This outcome, he noted, shows BVAS and IReV are now core components of Nigeria’s electoral architecture. They are no longer experimental tools.

Amupitan also emphasized the importance of Section 47(2) of the Electoral Act 2022. This legislation elevated digital tools from administrative aids to statutory instruments for election conduct.

“This legal foundation gives our digital tools both operational and legal legitimacy,” he explained. “It has strengthened public trust. It also enabled the Commission to innovate with confidence.”

Addressing Network Challenges and Future Commitment

Despite BVAS’s successes, the INEC chairman acknowledged ongoing challenges. Network constraints remain a major issue. Nigeria has 176,846 polling units. These are spread across riverine communities, mountainous areas, and remote settlements.

“A tool like BVAS is only as good as its network,” he observed. The Commission is collaborating with the Nigeria Communications Commission and telecom operators. They seek alternative technological solutions to improve connectivity.

Amupitan firmly dismissed suggestions of reverting to manual accreditation. He argued that manual processes are prone to human interference. They also lack the transparency modern elections require.

“The gains we have recorded are too significant to reverse,” he declared. He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to sustaining and upgrading current innovations.

He concluded that the Commission remains dedicated to accurate voter verification. Every ballot will be properly counted. Every result will be transparently shared.

Reaffirming the end of the “ghost voters” era, he stated INEC would continue to build on technological reforms. The goal is to deliver credible elections nationwide.