By Correspondent in Makurdi.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner supervising Benue and Enugu, Barr. Festus Okoye, has hinted that there would be no election in 2023 without the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Okoye made the submission while delivering a speech at a one-day capacity building workshop for journalists in the north central on Conflicts Sensitive Reporting and 2023 General Election organised by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with INEC.
“The truth of the matter is that no election can take place in Nigeria today without the use of BVAs. This is because Section 47 of subsection 2 of the electoral act make the use of BVAs for voters accreditation and authentication mandatory.
“The commission was not given any discretion whether or not. The law say you shall and we must. The commission in line with section 50 and section section 54 of the electoral act shall upload polling units results for public view. It’s mandatory so the debates on whether there is network in your village or no network; for me is a redundant debate because the law has made it mandatory that this must be,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo, in his paper presentation said that the training workshop held in Makurdi was an opportunity to ensure that a level playing field is provided for all political actors and ensure that peoples’ votes will count through a highly professional management of news by journalists who are equipped with international best practices.
Isiguzo who.was represented by the NUJ national treasurer, Dele Atunbi, emphasised that, “this is the only way we as professionals can advance the course of peace and ensure a credible and peaceful transition.”
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
