The Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) has announced that it will not utilize the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for the Local Government elections scheduled for September 28.
At a sensitization program organized by the International Peace and Civil Responsibility Centre (IPCRC) in Awka on Thursday, Anthony Nnalue, the commissioner responsible for information and logistics at ANSIEC, made this declaration. The event was attended by accredited election observers and media personnel.
Mr. Nnalue expressed concerns about the reliability of the BVAS, pointing to its unsatisfactory performance in previous elections across the country. He stated that the commission would instead rely on manual accreditation, which he deemed more dependable.
“Our decision is clear: we will not use BVAS; we will opt for manual accreditation. BVAS has proven unreliable and has distorted the electoral process in Nigeria. We want to prevent any tampering with election results,” he emphasized.
He also assured that election materials would arrive promptly, indicating that previous delays have been resolved. Non-sensitive materials are en route to local government councils, and 5,720 ad-hoc staff have been trained to facilitate the elections throughout the state’s polling units.
“We are fully prepared for the Saturday election, addressing all security and logistical needs,” he affirmed. “However, elections will not occur in Nnewi South, Orumba South, and Idemili South. Voters from these areas will cast their ballots at the council headquarters to ensure the safety of both officials and voters.”
He urged the electorate to participate actively, encouraging them that their votes would count.
Chris Azor, the IPCRC coordinator, also addressed the audience, urging politicians and voters to remain vigilant against vote buying, violence, gender discrimination, and over-voting. He called on security agencies to uphold neutrality while respecting human rights and the rule of law.
Additionally, Mr. Azor announced that the organization would establish a Situation Room in Awka for real-time coordination and reporting. “As accredited observers, we are committed to ensuring a free, fair, credible, and peaceful local government election in Anambra State,” he concluded.
