The chairman, Oyo State Independent National Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Mr Isiaka Olagunju has explained why the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) cannot be used for the forthcoming local government in the State.
Olagunju disclosed this in a conversation with the Nigerian Tribune against the backdrop of the stance of some political parties that the non-use of the BVAS may deter their participation in the election.
Last week, the All Progressives Congress (APC) threatened to participate in the election should not guarantee the usage of BVAS just as the Social Democratic party (SDP) urged the OYSIEC to make good its promise to deploy BVAS for the election as it would guarantee the conduct of a free, fair and acceptable election.
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, the OYSIEC boss said it had last October requested for the BVAS from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), through the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), but it was yet to get any response.
He said the commission could not wait ad infinitum for INEC response hence decided to go ahead with its preparation for the conduct of the local government election even without the BVAS.
Olagunju said he had conveyed the development to the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), as he added that the use of BVAS was not a conclusive proof of a credible election.
He, however, pointed out that if the INEC, who has custody of the BVAS, releases the device to the state electoral body, it would not hesitate to use device for the local government election.
Olagunju said: “BVAS is not in the custody of OYSIEC. It is in the custody of INEC. We approached INEC for permission to use BVAS since last year October through the REC of Oyo State.
I was informed that our request would be forwarded to INEC headquarters in Abuja as OYSIEC is the first to request for the use of BVAS in LG election.
“Till now INEC has not responded. We can’t wait ad-infinitum. BVAS is not even a conclusive proof of a credible election. To your question specifically, we can’t use BVAS.
“At all our meetings with the political parties, I reiterated my efforts in getting BVAS. I cannot give what I don’t have. In as much as I would like to use BVAS for more transparency but I am incapacitated by the circumstances beyond my control.
“IPAC new exco was at OYSIEC office last week and they understood the circumstance.
“There is a provision at all times that if INEC released the BVAS to us. INEC has not released it, will I now cancel election because of that?”
On his part, the IPAC boss, Mr Fagbemi Adegbenro said it believed that non-availability of BVAS on Election Day will not hinder the electoral process, adding that the usage of BVAS alone in an election cannot confer credibility of election.
The new IPAC chairman stressed that political parties will partake in the election with or without BVAS.
Fagbemi said the IPAC had always been of the opinion that it would be difficult for the INEC to release BVAS to OYSIEC, hence it was not surprised at the development.
“We cannot use BVAS for the election because I definitely knew INEC will not release it because it is the exclusive property of INEC and this is a state election.
“And if the state wants to acquire BVAS, it is costly. So, for this election, we are not using BVAS.
“We did it in 2021, just bring your means of identification, your Permanent Voter Card; once your name is on the voter register, you will vote.
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“IPAC and OYSIEC have been partners in progress, we are monitoring them closely to see the progress so far.
“Some political parties might not be strong in all the local governments but strong in other popularities. Go out and prove your popularity.”
The IPAC pledged to create more awareness on the forthcoming local government election.
