#AnambraDecides: Again, INEC Extends Voting Time – Says Update Is Being Installed On Failed BVAS

The Anambra State governorship election would continue on Sunday, November 7, the Independent National Electoral Commission has confirmed.

There were hiccups at different polling units today due to the malfunctioning of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machine.

The development, Ezenwoko’s Blog understands delayed and hindered smooth conduct of the voting exercise as machines failed to work completely in many units.

Addressing reporters at the INEC office in Awka, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, said the extension of the voting exercise is to enable those who could not vote on Saturday to do so on Sunday.

Ezenwoko’s Blog understands that closing of voting had been shifted from 2.30 pm to 4pm on Saturday, after which the exercise could still not go smoothly in some units.

Orji said the machines suffered software hitches, adding that the commission’s engineers were working to rectify the problem.

He further explained that materials did not arrive on time at some polling units because some drivers and ad-hoc staff failed to turn up.

While appealing to electorates to remain calm, the commissioner added that an update is being installed on the failed machine to enable smooth running the next day

Orji said: “It must be noted that on account of security concerns, some of the transporters that were mobilised and collected 50 per cent of their sign-on fee backed out at the last moment, leaving some of our ad-hoc staff stranded.

“Also, some of the trained ad-hoc staff backed out at the last moment. The Commission is on top of these challenges and extant regulations and guidelines will be applied on a case by case basis.

“INEC has extended the period for opening and closing of the poll from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm.

“This revised closing time applies to areas where polling units opened after the commencement period of 8.30 am.

“In line with existing regulations and guidelines of the Commission, any intending voter who is on the queue by 4.00 pm shall be allowed to vote. All Polling Unit staff must comply with this directive.

“The extension of time arose out of several field reports that voters have had problems with accreditation.

“The Commission is currently investigating the reason the accreditation devices, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), have worked perfectly in some Polling Units, but not in others. In some of the cases, it would seem that this resulted from software glitches.

“Our technicians have already built an update to the devise software to prevent further challenges.

“The update is currently being installed in the concerned BVAS and we request voters, candidates and agents to be patient and allow our technical staff to solve the problem.

“The Commission wishes to reiterate that in cases of sustained malfunction of the BVAS, the Presiding Officer must inform the voters and polling agents that accreditation and voting for the affected Polling Unit shall continue tomorrow or at another time determined by the Commission.

“With this extension of time and the recommencement of accreditation where the BVAS consistently malfunctions, the Commission assures that no voter will be disenfranchised.

“We appeal to all voters, candidates, stakeholders communities and political parties to remain calm and law-abiding. We assure you that the Commission is determined to make all votes count.”