BVAS: INEC must punish corrupt staff, says don

A senior law lecturer at the University of Hull, United Kingdom, Dr. Lateef Misbau, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to identify and penalize officials who made errors during the Osun governorship election held on July 16. In an exclusive interview with The, Alamu, an indigene of Ifon Orolu in Osun State, emphasized that the commission should be held accountable for the Election Petition Tribunal’s decision to annul the election results. The panel, led by Justice Tertsea Kume, declared Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress the winner, overturning the victory of Senator Ademola Adeleke from the Peoples Democratic Party. This decision followed the discovery of over-voting in 744 units across ten local government areas.

There was a dissenting opinion from Justice A. Ogbuli, a member of the panel, who dismissed Oyetola’s petition, arguing that the BVAS report, which formed the basis of the majority’s judgment, was fraught with controversies. Dr. Misbau pointed out that the delayed synchronization cited by INEC as the reason for issuing two BVAS reports was not in accordance with the Electoral Act. He called for an investigation into the manipulation of BVAS reports to identify and punish the commission’s staff involved in these irregularities. He stated, “INEC must be held accountable for what is now a clear compromise in Osun. The issuance of multiple BVAS reports at different times undermines the integrity of the electoral process. While the BVAS device itself may not be defective, there are unscrupulous officials willing to subvert the process in collusion with dubious politicians.”

Dr. Misbau further asserted that INEC owes the public an explanation and an apology. He insisted that anyone found complicit in manipulating the BVAS reports must be identified and prosecuted, particularly those responsible for the synchronization issue in Osun, which he noted has no basis in the Electoral Act or the Electoral Guidelines. When asked whether BVAS machines should be excluded from the upcoming 2023 general elections, Misbau acknowledged that, given the law mandates their use, it may be too late to halt their deployment. He concluded, “In fact, I don’t think BVAS should be cancelled. The issue lies not with the BVAS itself, but with corrupt officials who may compromise the system. It is crucial to enforce the law against erring officials to deter others from similar misconduct.”