2023 Elections: PVC verification, voter accreditation and 3 other key things voters should know about BVAS

With less than three weeks to the 2023 general elections, electorates are itching to hit the polls to exercise their civic right by choosing their most preferred candidates.

However, the 2023 polls will come with an array of changes, intrigue, enthusiasm and a lot more that are expected to make this year's elections unique.

One of the latest introductions to the Nigerian electoral system is a new technology, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

The BVAS was introduced by INEC in 2021 to improve the credibility of Nigeria's electoral system and prevent electoral fraud, thereby replacing smart card readers.

Five critical things about BVAS and how it works

1. The BVAS reads the PVCs and authenticates voters' biometrics (fingerprints and facial recognition) before voting.

2. To read the PVC, it can scan the barcode or QR code on the PVC or the voter's register. The presiding officer can also input the last six digits of a voter's Voter Identification Number (VIN) or last name to verify the genuineness of the PVC and accredit votes.

3. Beyond accreditation, the BVAS is used to upload polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) in real-time during an election.

4. According to a Yiaga Africa election advisory document "My Election Buddy", the BVAS would capture the results after the election at a polling unit and immediately transmit them to the portal that is accessible to the public.

5. The BVAS doesn't require internet connectivity to function. As long as the battery is charged and the device is appropriately configured, it can function optimally. Internet connectivity is only required to transmit results.