Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo says next month’s election would be difficult to rig with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). 

“I am happy that it’s getting more and more difficult for anybody to influence INEC to rig the election. I have been involved in so many elections and I keep telling people, the election is difficult to rig,” Mr Akeredolu said on Friday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) introduced BVAS for the accreditation of voters through biometrics capturing, uploading of polling results, and other functions. 

Since the introduction of the device, stakeholders in the electoral process has described it as a “game-changer” in the country’s electoral system. 

Speaking in Akure, Mr Akeredolu said that the BVAS technology would help strengthen the nation’s electoral process and also build confidence. 

He specifically commended the electoral body for introducing the device, noting that it would also make rigging the election more difficult. 

“It has become more difficult now, because whether we like it or not, INEC has improved on its work over time,” the Ondo governor said. 

Mr Akeredolu added that INEC needed to add value to the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) aside from its usage for voting. 

“This is to make it more attractive for the people to collect,” he further noted. 

Rufus Akeju, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo, told Mr Akeredolu that INEC was prepared for a free and fair general election in the state. 

Mr Akeju, who would soon retire from the commission, said he enjoyed maximum cooperation from the people especially during the collection of the PVCs in the state.