The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Ojo Amupitan, has declared that the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has effectively eliminated voter impersonation in Nigeria’s elections.
Gossip News Now reports that Amupitan, represented by National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu, made the statement at the 2025 Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibitions organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Dayo Oketola, the INEC Chairman described BVAS as a “foolproof mechanism” that has shut the door on identity theft, multiple voting, and other accreditation-related irregularities.
He said, “The BVAS device has become our frontline defence against identity fraud, ensuring that only the rightful, eligible voter can be accredited at the polling unit. With the biometric safeguards now in place, voter impersonation has been effectively eliminated from our electoral system.”
Addressing an audience of technology experts, policymakers and civil society representatives, Amupitan pointed to the recent Anambra Governorship election as a strong demonstration of BVAS efficiency.
He revealed that all 6,879 BVAS devices deployed for the election functioned effectively, with over 99 percent of polling unit results uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) on Election Day.
According to him, the successful deployment confirms that BVAS and IReV are now permanent pillars of Nigeria’s electoral process rather than experimental technologies.
Amupitan further emphasised the importance of Section 47(2) of the Electoral Act 2022, which elevated digital election tools from optional administrative support to mandatory statutory instruments for conducting elections.
Amupitan said the legal framework backing BVAS and other digital tools has reinforced their credibility. “This legislative foundation ensures that our digital tools have both operational and legal legitimacy. It has strengthened public trust and enabled the Commission to innovate with confidence,” he noted.
However, the INEC Chairman acknowledged that despite BVAS’ successes, network limitations remain a significant obstacle, particularly across Nigeria’s 176,846 polling units located in riverine areas, mountainous terrains and remote settlements.
“A tool like the BVAS is only as good as the network it runs on,” he said, explaining that INEC is collaborating with the Nigerian Communications Commission and telecommunications operators to explore alternative technologies that will strengthen connectivity nationwide.
Amupitan also dismissed calls for a return to manual accreditation, stressing that such methods are susceptible to manipulation and lack the transparency necessary for credible elections.
“The gains we have recorded are too significant to reverse,” he stated, reaffirming that INEC is committed to sustaining and upgrading its current technological reforms.
He concluded that the Commission remains focused on ensuring accurate voter verification, proper ballot counting and transparent result dissemination.
Reiterating that the era of “ghost voters” is over, Amupitan vowed that INEC will continue to enhance its digital systems to guarantee credible elections across the country.
