Politics

Anambra 2021 Governorship Election: Technical Hitches Mar Voting Process

Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, expressed shock and disappointment over the technology breakdown of the Bimodal Verification Accreditation (BVA) system during the Anambra 2021 elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) experienced technical difficulties with the BVA devices, preventing voters from being accredited in various parts of the state.

Soludo, who arrived at his polling unit at 12:15 pm, was unable to be captured by the BVA system. He described the technology as a “complete failure,” highlighting that voting had not commenced in most polling units by 1:00 pm. Even where the system was working, it took 20-30 minutes to capture a voter, which would lead to significant delays.

Furthermore, Soludo criticized the inadequate deployment of INEC staff and security personnel to polling units. For instance, in Uke, only five out of 17 polling units had INEC officials, while his own polling unit had no police presence.

“The BVA technology is a complete failure, and by almost 1:00 pm in the day, voting is yet to start in most of the polling units in the state,” Soludo said. “And in places where it is working, it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to capture a voter. With this crowd, even if the device starts working now, it is not possible to finish up within record time.”

Soludo’s concerns were echoed by many voters who experienced similar difficulties at various polling units across the state. The technical issues and inadequate staffing raised questions about INEC’s preparedness for the election.

In response to the challenges, INEC officials worked to resolve the technical issues and deploy additional staff and materials to affected areas. However, the delays and disruptions caused frustration among voters, many of whom had arrived early to exercise their civic duty.

The Anambra governorship election was widely watched, with many viewing it as a litmus test for INEC’s ability to conduct credible and efficient elections. The commission’s response to the technical challenges would be crucial in maintaining public trust and confidence in the electoral process.

As the day wore on, INEC officials continued to work towards resolving the issues, with Soludo and other stakeholders urging voters to remain patient and committed to the democratic process.

Key Challenges:

– Technical difficulties with BVA devices hindered voter accreditation in various polling units.

– Inadequate staffing and security presence were reported in some polling units.

– Delays and disruptions caused frustration among voters.

INEC’s Response:

– Officials worked to resolve technical issues and deploy additional staff and materials.

– The commission assured stakeholders that the challenges would be addressed.

Stakeholder Reactions:

– Soludo expressed shock and disappointment over INEC’s technology breakdown.

– Voters were urged to remain patient and cast their votes when machines became operational.

Implications:

– The Anambra governorship election was seen as a test for INEC’s credibility and efficiency.