BVAS Records 95.6% Success in Anambra Polls, Says KDI

BVAS Records 95.6% Success in Anambra Polls, Says KDI

…Decries widespread vote buying, open display of ballot papers across polling units

JOEL OLADELE, Awka

The Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) has commended the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the ongoing Anambra governorship election, reporting a 95.6 per cent success rate across polling units monitored in the state.

KDI disclosed this on Saturday in Awka during its mid–election day press briefing, organised under the Nigeria Election Violence Education and Resolution (NEVER) project, which deployed over 370 trained observers across all 21 local government areas of the state.

According to the group the BVAS devices functioned optimally in 95.6 per cent of polling units observed, while 2.64 per cent experienced minor network disruptions that were promptly resolved. He added that 1.76 per cent of the devices broke down completely, while some others required facial authentication where fingerprint capture failed.

Despite this strong technological performance, KDI raised alarm over widespread vote buying and ballot secrecy violations.

The group said “voters were seen “
openly displaying their marked ballots to party agents after voting, many were led away from polling units to receive cash rewards ranging between ₦3,000 and ₦10,000.”

“These actions undermine the integrity of the electoral process. There appeared to be a tacit consensus among multiple political parties in perpetuating this practice,” KDI said.

The group also expressed concern over the indifference of some INEC officials and security personnel, saying their failure to curb vote trading and interference by party agents raises serious questions about enforcement of electoral laws and protection of voters’ rights.

On logistics, KDI reported that INEC officials and materials arrived early in 67.85 per cent of the polling units observed, while 32.15 per cent recorded late arrival. Voting commenced after 8:45 a.m. in nearly half of the polling units monitored.

The organisation further pointed out that, despite official claims of 55,000 security personnel deployed for the election, its observers found
uneven distribution of security operatives, with some polling units having no visible presence.
KDI also recorded nine incidents of election-related violence in various parts of the state, including Ogbaru, Njikoka, and Nnewi South, involving group clashes, harassment, and ballot snatching.

The group urged all stakeholders to remain peaceful and ensure the process reflects the will of the people.

“We reiterate the importance of transparency at every stage of the election and emphasize that the final results must truly reflect the will of the people,” it stated.

KDI said it will continue to monitor the process through its real-time Election Day Data Room and release a post-election report after the polls.