The Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Adeniran Tella, made a significant announcement on Friday regarding the upcoming local government elections in the state. Speaking in Ibadan during a meeting with civil society organizations, Dr. Tella revealed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will not be released to the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) for the elections scheduled for April 27.
BVAS, a system containing sensitive voter data, has been deemed unsuitable for use in local government elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Dr. Tella emphasized that OYSIEC has been provided with the necessary voter register to determine the number of eligible voters for the upcoming elections. However, BVAS, designed for general elections, is considered too sensitive for use at the local level.
Addressing representatives from various civil society organizations, Dr. Tella reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to collaborating with them to ensure the integrity and transparency of elections. This partnership aims to facilitate free, fair, and credible electoral processes in Oyo State.
As the local government elections draw near, the decision to withhold BVAS underscores the importance of safeguarding voter data and upholding electoral standards. INEC’s stance reflects a dedication to ensuring the security and accuracy of the electoral process, highlighting the critical role of technology in modern elections.
