Emmanuel OchayiA malfunctioning Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machine has disrupted voting in Ikpoba Okha, Ward 7, Unit 39, during the Edo election.
Voting, which started around 8 a.m., came to a halt shortly after due to technical issues with the BVAS machines. As of 10:20 a.m., the problem had yet to be resolved.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe affected unit, located inside Ologboshere Primary School in Benin, has 838 registered voters. While voting in other units within the school continued without any issues, voters at Unit 39 were left waiting for a replacement machine to restore the process.
An ad-hoc INEC official at the unit, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the electoral body had been notified of the faulty BVAS. “We are waiting for another BVAS so that the process is not disrupted for too long,” the official explained. He emphasised that INEC was aware of the issue and was working to resolve it as soon as possible.
Voters at the unit expressed mixed reactions to the delay. Helen Osagie, an elderly woman who arrived at the polling unit early in the morning, shared her frustrations. “I got here by 7 a.m. and everything was peaceful, but we are still waiting to vote. INEC should act fast to replace the faulty machines in order not to disenfranchise most of us,” she said.
Others, like Paul Eromosele, remained hopeful that the situation would be addressed soon. “There is peace here for now. I voted without any stress, and I hope everything ends peacefully,” he said.
READ ALSO: Edo Election: Anxiety As Voters Cast Ballots
Despite the delay at Unit 39, reports from other parts of Ikpoba Okha indicated that the Edo election process was running smoothly. Materials arrived at many polling stations before 8 a.m., and voting began on time in most areas. However, the BVAS malfunction at Unit 39 raised concerns about potential delays in the election process.
The disruption at the polling unit caught the attention of local observers, who urged INEC to quickly rectify the issue. “The election is crucial for Edo state, and we expect INEC to ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their right without unnecessary delays,” one observer remarked.
This incident follows a string of issues related to voting technology in Nigeria’s elections, with the BVAS system experiencing technical problems in previous elections as well. While the system is designed to enhance transparency and efficiency, such malfunctions highlight the ongoing challenges in ensuring smooth operations at polling stations.
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, who cast his vote earlier in the day, expressed his satisfaction with the voting process in his area. “I am pleased with the process so far; everything has been peaceful, and I encourage everyone to participate,” he said.
The Edo election has drawn significant attention from across the country, with many citizens keen to see how the electoral process unfolds. Stakeholders continue to emphasise the importance of a free and fair election, urging all involved to ensure transparency and efficiency.
As the election progresses, voters in Unit 39 hope that INEC will quickly resolve the BVAS issue and allow them to cast their votes without further delays.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
