By Sekinat Osundiji
The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is an electronic device used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to verify voters’ identities before they are allowed to vote during elections in Nigeria.
In brief, BVAS confirms that a voter is registered and is the rightful holder of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) presented at a polling unit. It does not count votes or independently prevent every form of electoral malpractice, but it can help reduce impersonation and multiple voting. The system matters to Nigerian voters because it is one of the main tools used to confirm their eligibility and strengthen confidence in the accreditation and results-reporting process.
Introduced in 2021, the device was designed to reduce voter impersonation and prevent people from voting more than once. It uses fingerprint and facial recognition technology to confirm that a person presenting a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) is the rightful owner.
BVAS became a major part of Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2023 general elections, replacing the Smart Card Reader previously used for voter accreditation.
How does BVAS work?
On election day, a voter presents their PVC to an election official at the polling unit where they are registered.
The official uses the BVAS device to check the voter’s details and confirm that their name appears on the register for that polling unit. The device then uses biometric verification to establish the voter’s identity.
This is done through fingerprint scanning or facial recognition. If the fingerprint cannot be recognised, facial recognition can be used as an alternative, in line with INEC’s procedures.
Once the voter’s identity has been successfully verified and the other accreditation requirements have been met, the voter can proceed to cast their ballot.
Why was BVAS introduced?
Before BVAS, INEC used the Smart Card Reader to verify voters during elections. However, the earlier system relied on fingerprint authentication, which sometimes presented difficulties for voters whose fingerprints could not be read.
BVAS introduced a second biometric option through facial recognition, giving officials another way to verify eligible voters.
The system was also intended to strengthen voter accreditation by making it more difficult for someone to impersonate another voter or use another person’s PVC to vote.
Does BVAS count votes?
No. BVAS does not count the votes cast for candidates or political parties.
Its main responsibility during an election is voter verification and accreditation. The actual votes are counted manually at the polling unit by election officials after voting closes.
However, BVAS also has a role in the electronic handling of election results. It can be used to capture an image of the polling unit result sheet, known as Form EC8A, and upload it to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal, IReV.
The portal allows members of the public to view uploaded polling-unit results. This function is separate from the physical counting of ballot papers.
Can BVAS prevent election rigging?
BVAS can help reduce certain forms of electoral fraud, particularly voter impersonation and multiple voting. Its biometric verification process makes it more difficult for an individual to vote using another person’s identity.
However, the device does not automatically prevent every form of electoral malpractice. Issues such as vote-buying, voter intimidation, violence and other irregularities require additional safeguards, effective monitoring and enforcement of electoral laws.
Similarly, the use of BVAS does not remove the need for transparent counting, proper documentation of results and effective collation procedures.
What happens if BVAS fails at a polling unit?
Technical problems can arise during accreditation, including difficulties reading fingerprints or recognising a voter’s face.
When this happens, election officials are expected to follow INEC’s prescribed procedures rather than simply allowing the voter to proceed without the required verification.
The device’s facial recognition function provides an alternative when fingerprint authentication fails. Other technical difficulties must be handled according to the commission’s applicable guidelines.
This is important because a malfunction should not be treated as proof that a voter is ineligible, nor should it be used as a reason to ignore the required accreditation process.
Why BVAS matters to voters
For voters, BVAS is one of the first stages of the voting process. It helps election officials confirm that the person standing before them is registered and eligible to vote at that particular polling unit.
Its introduction marked a shift towards greater use of technology in Nigeria’s elections. But the credibility of an election still depends on more than the equipment used: election officials must follow the rules, votes must be counted transparently, and results must be properly recorded and collated.
Understanding what BVAS does — and what it does not do — helps voters better understand how elections are conducted and how their votes are accounted for.
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