BVAS Does Not Store Votes, Stolen PVCs Useless – Osun REC Allays Fears Ahead of Aug 15 Election

By Omidiran Seun

OSOGBO — The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Osun State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, has allayed fears over stolen Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, saying they are useless without biometric accreditation. She also clarified that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, does not store votes.

Babalola spoke at the Osun Decides Citizens’ Town Hall Meeting organised by the Civil Society Network on Electoral Integrity ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The network comprises the Nigeria Women Trust Fund, NWTF, Election Matters, TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre, IPC, Centre for Media and Society, CEMESO, and Yiaga Africa.

In his remarks, the Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa, Oba Moses Olufemi Agunsoye, commended the organisers for promoting citizens’ participation and strengthening democracy through dialogue.

He described politics as a noble instrument for governance and development, but lamented that violence, intolerance, intimidation, poverty and unhealthy rivalry have continued to undermine democratic values.

He urged politicians across the 30 local government areas to embrace peace, tolerance and respect for the rule of law before, during and after the election.

“No political ambition is worth the blood of any innocent citizen. Elections should be a contest of ideas and service, not violence, intimidation or division,” the monarch said.

Similarly, the Alakire of Ikire-Ile, Oba AbdulAzeez Oyebamiji Olatunbosun Adebamiji, called on political actors and residents to maintain peace and avoid acts capable of disrupting the process.

Babalola said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has substantially completed preparations for the poll.

According to her, all non-sensitive materials have been received and deployed, while sensitive materials will arrive in the week of the election in line with established procedures.

She disclosed that over 57.9 percent of PVCs have been distributed in the initial phase of the exercise, expressing optimism that most eligible voters will collect theirs before the deadline.

She said the Commission has recruited adequate ad-hoc staff who will be trained on competence, neutrality, professionalism and integrity, adding that voter education has been intensified among women, persons with disabilities, youths, religious bodies, traditional rulers and community leaders.

The REC warned against vote-buying and vote-selling, stressing that anyone who sells his vote forfeits the moral right to hold elected leaders accountable.

On logistics, she said INEC signed Memoranda of Understanding with the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, the National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, and other transport unions for the movement of personnel and materials.

She noted that the unions have trained their members on professionalism and neutrality, and that all vehicles designated for election duty will be inspected by INEC and the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, to ensure roadworthiness.

Addressing concerns raised by participants, Babalola dismissed claims that the theft of PVCs in another state had compromised the electoral process. She said investigations are ongoing, but maintained that stolen PVCs cannot be used to vote because every voter must undergo biometric accreditation through BVAS.

She also debunked allegations that BVAS devices could be preloaded with votes.

“BVAS does not store votes. Voting is done manually with ballot papers. BVAS is only used for voter accreditation and for uploading polling unit results to the IReV portal,” she explained.

According to her, all BVAS machines have been configured, tested and fully charged, while technical support staff have been deployed to all Registration Areas and Local Government Areas to promptly address any glitches.

On allegations of PVC collection by proxy, Babalola described the claims as false, saying investigations found no evidence of illegal distribution.

Stakeholders from the disability community commended INEC for mainstreaming persons with disabilities in its preparations, but appealed for adequate provision of assistive materials and proper training of ad-hoc staff to enable PWDs vote independently and with dignity.

INEC assured that interpreters and other assistive services would be provided where necessary.

Representing the Commissioner of Police, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said adequate security arrangements have been made for voters, journalists, observers and accredited civil society groups.

He disclosed that security agencies have conducted risk assessments across the state, classifying communities into high, medium and low-risk areas for effective deployment, and that operational plans have been reviewed in light of recent security developments.

He described as false and out of context reports that the Inspector-General of Police ordered officers to shoot armed persons on sight, noting that officers operate strictly under the Force’s rules on the lawful use of firearms.

He assured that electoral offenders, ballot snatchers and perpetrators of violence would be arrested and prosecuted regardless of political affiliation.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, also pledged to protect lives, property and critical national assets, adding that its personnel would embark on professional patrols and intervene only where public peace is threatened.

Civil society representatives urged voters, especially women and youths, to reject violence, vote-buying and intimidation. They advised voters to verify their PVCs ahead of Election Day, move in groups where necessary, obey lawful procedures at polling units and report malpractices to security agencies or election officials.

They also cautioned that personal safety must take priority if violence erupts at any polling unit.

Responding to other concerns bordering on technology, voter turnout, logistics and safety of journalists, INEC reiterated that it is not planning for an inconclusive election, noting that such outcomes are determined by legal provisions and voting patterns.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and strict adherence to the Electoral Act.

As the August 15 governorship election approaches, stakeholders unanimously appealed to political parties, candidates, supporters and residents to conduct themselves peacefully and ensure the poll strengthens democracy and preserves the long-standing peace of Osun State.