INEC’s New BVAS Update Will Automatically Reject Mismatched Polling Unit Results

BVAS Machine

INEC’s New BVAS Update Will Automatically Reject Mismatched Polling Unit Results

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that its latest software update for the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will automatically detect and reject mismatched figures between what is entered on the device and what appears on physical result sheets at polling units, a move aimed at strengthening the integrity of elections in Nigeria.

INEC’s Deputy Director of Information and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, explained the enhancement on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television on Thursday, saying the updated BVAS can now read and cross‑check figures on official result sheets against the data entered by presiding officers before results are formally tabulated on Form EC8A.

According to Ifogah, after votes are counted and aggregated at the polling unit, the presiding officer inputs the figures into the BVAS device. The tool then compares this input against the numbers on the scanned result sheet. If the figures do not match, the BVAS will reject the entry and block the upload, ensuring that only consistent and verified results are transmitted into the electoral database.

“If the figures do not correspond with what is recorded, it will not pick it up,” Ifogah said, adding that this enhancement is a critical measure to prevent manipulation, clerical errors, and inflated results at the polling unit level before collation begins.

BVAS Mock Trials and Readiness Ahead of Elections

INEC also disclosed that the commission conducted mock trials of the new BVAS update in 289 polling units across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) prior to the recent Area Council elections. The mock deployment was designed to stress‑test the validation feature, identify challenges, and ensure smooth functionality during live elections.
Officials say the trial showed that the enhanced BVAS technology can effectively identify discrepancies and reduce the likelihood of incorrect result uploads — an issue that has fueled suspicion and court challenges in past elections.

The upgrade forms part of INEC’s broader push to improve transparency, accuracy and trust in Nigeria’s electoral process. INEC’s BVAS system is already equipped with internal safeguards that prevent over‑voting (where total votes exceed the number of accredited voters) and flag anomalies during accreditation and result capture. The new update goes further by validating data between paper result sheets and electronic entries before results are accepted into the system.

INEC’s Rationale and Public Assurance

INEC has faced recurring concerns from political parties, observers, and civil society over result discrepancies between physical result sheets at polling units and what is later collated at state and national levels. In response, the commission has increasingly emphasised its commitment to deploying technology to promote credible elections.

Ifogah stressed that the BVAS enhancement does not replace human judgment but acts as a digital check to ensure what is entered electronically aligns with what has been physically recorded by election officials. He said the innovation provides an additional layer of accountability, helping to reduce opportunities for manipulation at the earliest stage of result transmission.

INEC has also promised continued training for presiding officers and election officials on the new BVAS functionalities to ensure they are comfortable with the processes before future nationwide elections, including the 2027 general elections.