Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara has called for the complete and real-time integration of the BVAS and IReV systems to ensure transparent elections in Nigeria.

He made the call on Monday during a seminar on electoral reforms organised by Athena, a civil society organisation, in Abuja.

Mr Lawal said the technology-driven process introduced by INEC marks a vital shift from outdated practices but needs urgent refinement to strengthen credibility.

“INEC came up with an impressive innovation by adopting BVAS. If properly fine-tuned, it will help prevent manipulation of the electoral process,” he said.

Highlighting gaps from past elections, he urged seamless integration of the two technologies to build public trust in the electoral system.

“During the last election, there appeared to be a disconnect between BVAS and IReV. Going forward, both should be fully synchronised in real time,” he added.

He explained that this means results uploaded on BVAS during accreditation and voting should automatically reflect on IReV to enhance transparency.

Mr Lawal said achieving this would require major investment in infrastructure, especially network connectivity, which INEC must prioritise.

Beyond technology, the governor said leaders must embrace responsibility and lawmakers should create a strong framework for accountability.

He urged Nigerians to uphold the rule of law and focus on building enduring institutions rather than personalities to strengthen democracy.

Citing India, Brazil, and Ghana, he said technology had reduced manipulation there, positioning it as the right path for Nigeria’s democratic growth.

Mr Lawal also emphasised the role of security agencies in elections, noting that politicians sometimes exploit security to intimidate voters for selfish ends.

He maintained that addressing this challenge is critical to any successful electoral reform.

The governor commended CSOs, such as Athena, for their vigilance and real-time reporting during the 2023 elections.

“Without accountability and the rule of law, our efforts amount to nothing. We must create a system that ensures transparency and responsibility,” he added.

(NAN)