The Chairman of the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee, Joash Amupitan, has stated current enhancements to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System have considerably enhanced the pace and reliability of voter accreditation, with the system finishing accreditation in underneath 5 seconds throughout a mock train in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory.
Amupitan made the comment on Saturday whereas main senior officers of the Fee to watch a mock accreditation and voting train forward of the Space Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026.
In keeping with him, “The train was carried out to check the improved BVAS and assess INEC’s readiness for the forthcoming election. The Fee wouldn’t use the principle election as a testing floor for brand new or upgraded expertise.
“We now have improved on the BVAS, and we don’t wish to use the principle election as a testing floor. This mock accreditation and voting train permits us to check and additional enhance the system,” he stated.
The monitoring group included Nationwide Commissioners Mohammed Haruna and Abdulrazaq Tukur Yusu; the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the FCT, Aminu Kasimu Idris; the Administrative Secretary, INEC FCT, Bimbo Oladunjoye; the Appearing Director-Basic of The Electoral Institute, Ibrahim Sani; aides to the INEC Chairman, and different senior officers of the Fee.
The group visited chosen polling models within the Abuja Municipal Space Council and Bwari Space Council, the place they noticed the accreditation course of and total conduct of the train.
Amupitan expressed satisfaction with the efficiency of the BVAS, noting that the system successfully prevented a number of accreditation makes an attempt and functioned seamlessly all through the train.
He additionally noticed the continuing Coaching-of-Trainers programme for Supervisory Presiding Officers, the place he emphasised the necessity for strict adherence to the coaching guide to make sure uniformity in election conduct throughout all space councils.
“Your coach is instructing you based mostly on a guide that has been rigorously ready to information the method and guarantee uniformity. As SPOs, you already know your statutory duties,” he stated, urging them to review the guide totally.
The INEC Chairman defined that the coaching was aimed toward refreshing present data and getting ready SPOs for his or her important roles, noting that they might additionally prepare different election officers forward of the election.
He cautioned towards compromise at any degree, stressing the necessity for a steady and credible electoral system, and reiterated INEC’s dedication to restoring public confidence by steady coaching, mock workout routines and deployment of improved expertise.
Amupitan famous the presence of political occasion brokers throughout the train, including that whereas civil society observers weren’t current, the train offered a possibility to check preparedness and lift voter consciousness.
On logistics, he confirmed that every one non-sensitive supplies had been deployed, whereas coaching for Presiding Officers would start the next week. He reiterated that voter mobilization and campaigning stay the duty of political events.
Commending election officers for his or her dedication regardless of modest remuneration, the INEC Chairman described their service as a sacrifice and an important contribution to nation-building.