The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended voting in Anambra governorship poll to Sunday, following the malfunctioning of the bimodal accreditation system (BVAS) in several polling units.
Resident electoral commissioner in the state Nkwachukwu Orji stated this at a news briefing held at the INEC headquarters in Awka on Saturday.
He said that the measure became necessary to enable more, if not all, eligible voters to cast their votes in the areas affected by the malfunctioning of the system.
He said that the BVAS malfunctioned because of software glitches, adding that the commission was already working to rectify the problem.
“In line with existing regulations and guidelines of the commission, any intending voter who is on the queue by 4.00 pm shall be allowed to vote,” Orji said.
“The extension of time arose out of several field reports that voters have had problems with accreditation. The commission is currently investigating the reason the accreditation devices, bimodal accreditation system (BVAS) have worked perfectly in some polling units, but not in others.
“In cases of malfunction of the BVAS, the presiding officer must inform the voters and polling agents that accreditation and voting shall continue tomorrow or at another time determined by the commission.”
Orji also noted that deployment was adversely affected by transportation challenges in some locations.
He appealed to all voters, candidates, stakeholders and political parties to remain calm and law abiding.
“We assure you that the commission is determined to make all votes count,” the INEC commissioner said.
