INEC's BVAS Glitch Disrupts Osun Mock Accreditation

On August 15, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted a mock accreditation exercise in Osun State to test the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) ahead of the upcoming governorship election. The exercise began at 8:00 a.m. but encountered significant technical difficulties when the BVAS machines stopped functioning at approximately 9:36 a.m.

Reports indicated that the devices failed to recognize the fingerprints, facial features, and photographs of voters already registered, leading to a suspension of the exercise in affected polling units. The mock accreditation was carried out in 12 local government areas across Osun's three senatorial districts, including councils such as Osogbo, Olorunda, Ifelodun, Boripe, Egbedore, Ede North, Ede South, Ejigbo, Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Oriade, and Obokun.

INEC clarified that no voting would occur during this exercise and urged registered voters to participate with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Dayo Olurode, the Public Relations Officer of the Osun State INEC office, confirmed that technical personnel were working to resolve the issues.