The Independent National Electoral Commission has acquired 57,000 additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices as part of efforts to strengthen its technology and improve preparations for the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this on Tuesday during an interactive meeting with commission staff and a readiness assessment for the 2027 polls in the North-East zone, held in Gombe.
He said the commission was upgrading its technological systems, including voter accreditation devices and electronic result management platforms, to promote efficiency, transparency and accountability during elections.
“We are hardening our Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices to ensure rapid voter verification, extended battery life, and seamless offline-to-online data synchronisation. 57,000 new BVAS have been procured,” he said.
Amupitan also identified the electronic verification platform, eEC8A, and the INEC Result Viewing Portal, IReV, as key components of the commission’s strategy to improve the transparency of election result management.
However, he cautioned that technological improvements alone would not guarantee credible elections without strict adherence to procedures and responsible conduct by electoral officials.
“A sophisticated technological device cannot by itself prevent human compromise. An independent electoral commission cannot by itself command public trust.
“The ultimate credibility of an election depends entirely on how faithfully, courageously, and impartially the law is applied by the human beings entrusted with its execution,” he said.
On election security, the INEC chairman said the commission was deepening cooperation with security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and the Armed Forces, through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
He explained that the commission was moving away from security arrangements that respond mainly to incidents on election day towards an intelligence-driven approach aimed at detecting and preventing threats before they materialise.
Amupitan further revealed that joint operations led by the DSS had uncovered an alleged plan by criminal kingpins to attack ad hoc electoral workers and members of the National Youth Service Corps.
READ ALSO:
- Fidelity Bank Plc Redeems US$400 Million Eurobond at Maturity
- Tinubu Heads To Saudi Arabia To Pray For Nigeria’s Peace, Unity
- Mercy Aigbe Slams Public Attacks On Toluwanisings’ Widow
- Reps Invite INEC Chairman Amupitan To Explain Preparations For 2027 Elections
- Why I Married Two Wives Despite Bible’s One-Wife Teaching – US Pastor
According to him, the threat had been neutralised, while the principal suspects were arrested and were undergoing prosecution.
“Anyone who attempts to threaten, intimidate, or harm our ad hoc staff, NYSC members, or permanent personnel will be hunted down and brought to justice under the full weight of the law,” he warned.
The INEC chairman also announced plans to organise a national election security conference in Abuja to finalise protective measures for areas identified as vulnerable to electoral violence.