The Concerned Kogi Citizens Forum has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure full implementation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the off-cycle Edo and Ondo elections.
The group’s convener, Isaiah Ijele, who made the call on Sunday in Abuja, said that his group was insisting that INEC should strictly follow the BVAS provisions in the forthcoming elections to tackle some irregularities in the process.
“The voice of the people must be heard and democracy must be preserved.
” We criticise the irregularities in the recent Kogi Governorship Election, where BVAS was not fully implemented in some local governments.
“We are also concerned about the use of professors as returning officers, so we are suggesting that individuals from diverse backgrounds should be considered for these roles.”
Ijele appealed to the National Assembly to intervene and ensure INEC’s unbiased implementation of the Electoral Act 2022, which allowed for electronic result transmission during elections.
He said that it was because of the non-usage of BVAS in some parts during the Kogi governorship election that created some judiciary issues.
“We remain confident that the Appeal and Supreme Courts will uphold justice for the people of Kogi and prioritise the essence of the case over technicalities, as witnessed at the tribunal,” Ijele added.
Ijele said that the Concerned Kogi Citizens Forum believed that the full implementation of BVAS during elections was crucial for ensuring the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
He, therefore, urged INEC to prioritise transparency and fairness in the upcoming elections. (NAN)
