ABUJA — Technical glitches and sudden administrative changes by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have sparked confusion and frustration among voters in the ongoing Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
Last-Minute Voter Reassignment
In a move that has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups, INEC reportedly reassigned numerous voters to new polling units just hours before the commencement of accreditation. The timing has proven problematic, as many residents struggle to access their new locations due to the ongoing restriction on vehicular movement ordered by the FCT Minister.
BVAS Failures and Missing Data
The credibility of the digital accreditation process is also facing scrutiny following reports of widespread system errors:
- Identity Mismatch: Several voters have reported being unable to find their details on the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), leading to questions regarding whether manual voting will be sanctioned to prevent disenfranchisement.
- Operational Blunders: In a significant logistical lapse, INEC officials allegedly deployed the wrong BVAS machines to at least one polling unit, leaving dozens of voters stranded while waiting for the correct hardware to arrive.
Heightened Tension at Polling Units
Election observers note that these developments have generated palpable tension at various stations. There are growing concerns that the combination of misplaced equipment and late reassignments could lead to a lower-than-expected turnout and potential disputes over the final results.
While INEC field officers are reportedly working to resolve the equipment issues, many voters remain in limbo as the 2:30 p.m. voting deadline approaches.
