Group blames late arrival of INEC officials, BVAS for mass delay in voting nationwide

Observer data analysed by the CDD, showed the average opening time across the country was 9:25 a.m.; one hour after polling was scheduled to start.

News Agency of Nigeria • February 26, 2023

Voters waiting on queue at Obafemi Owode, Ogun State

Voters Used to illustrate the story.

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has said that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the late arrival of INEC officials contributed to delays in voting in some places.

CDD made this known in its statement on the conduct of Saturday’s general elections in Abuja.

Prof. Adele Jinadu, Chair, CDD Election Analysis Centre (CDD-EAC), said that the preliminary statement provided an overview of the CDD-EAC findings on the conduct of the elections based on observer data received and analysed.

Mr Jinadu said that the report revealed that there was mass late commencement.

“Our observer data indicated late arrival of poll officials to their respective polling units across the country on Election Day.

“Observer data showed the availability of one BVAS device in 98.8 per cent of polling units.

“However, there have been reports of various glitches during the accreditation process, which contributed to delays in voting in places such as Borno State.”

Mr Jinadu said that the South-East and South-South subregions recorded the lowest percentage of poll officials arriving on time.

He added that In the South-East, only 10 per cent of poll officials arrived their respective polling units on time and in the South-South it was 27 per cent .

He said that “in the North-East 42 per cent of poll officials got to their polling units on time whilst in the North West, North Central and South West the figure was over 50 per cent”

He said that Lagos, the state with the highest number of registered voters, recorded just 18 per cent in terms of timely arrival of INEC officials.

Mr Jinadu said that the average opening time across the country was 9:25 a.m.; that was a clear one hour after polling was scheduled to start.

The group commended Nigerians for their determination to vote and encouraged them to remain patient as they cast their ballot.

Mr Jinadu asked them to prevent people who wanted to try and disrupt the process.

The group urged the security agencies to ensure that they remained neutral in their electoral day activities and actions.

It also commended INEC for its continued responsive communication with voters and all key stakeholders.

(NAN)

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