BVAS Breakdown: How Nigeria’s 2023 Election Tech Failed Voters
Promise of a “Digital Election”
NIGERIA’S 2023 general elections were widely promoted as a turning point in electoral transparency, anchored on the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). The then chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, assured Nigerians that the exercise would be the “best election ever.”
Backed by significant international funding, including support from the European Union, the system was designed to eliminate manipulation by ensuring real-time upload of results directly from polling units.
Field Experiences Reveal Systemic Failure
However, accounts from election officials painted a different picture. Josephine Ochadamu, an Assistant Presiding Officer in Nasarawa State, recalled how the system worked seamlessly for legislative elections but failed at a critical moment—the presidential vote.
While parliamentary results were uploaded without issue, attempts to transmit presidential results were unsuccessful. The failure, initially thought to be isolated, quickly proved to be nationwide.
The breakdown created tension at polling units, where voters and party agents watched anxiously, raising suspicions about possible manipulation.
Nationwide Glitch or Coordinated Disruption?
Across the country—from Nasarawa to Abuja—similar reports emerged: BVAS devices functioned for accreditation and lower-tier elections but faltered during presidential result uploads.
Despite widespread outrage, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling party was eventually declared winner.
Experts have questioned the official explanation of “technical glitches.” Former electoral official Tonie Iredia argued that the issue was unlikely to be purely technological, pointing instead to human interference.
Data Discrepancies and Credibility Crisis
Beyond technical failures, investigations revealed deeper irregularities. In several states, the number of votes recorded exceeded the number of accredited voters—sometimes by wide margins.
Such discrepancies, alongside reports of altered result sheets and intimidation, undermined confidence in the electoral process. In Rivers State, independent tallies suggested results that differed significantly from official declarations.
The outcome was a historically low voter turnout of just 26 percent, reflecting widespread disillusionment.
Funding Questions and Structural Weaknesses
The elections were supported by tens of millions of euros in international funding, much of it directed toward technology and training. However, questions remain about allocation priorities.
A significant portion of funds went to technical contractors, while relatively smaller amounts supported independent media and grassroots civic engagement—critical pillars of electoral accountability.
Observers argue that focusing heavily on technology overlooked deeper systemic issues, including weak institutions, political interference, and lack of transparency.
The Limits of Technology in Electoral Reform
Analysts agree that technology alone cannot fix entrenched political challenges. The persistence of electoral malpractice—despite improved tools—suggests that the core issue lies within the political system itself.
As one expert noted, electoral credibility depends less on machines and more on the integrity of those who operate them.
|
Institution
|
Funding (€)
|
Share (%)
|
|---|---|---|
| DAI Global Belgium | 18,011,000.00 | 38.30% |
| International Organisation for Migration (IOM) | 7,380,044.04 | 15.70% |
| Kukah Centre for Faith and Leadership Research | 5,250,000.00 | 11.20% |
| Yiaga Africa Initiative | 4,970,173.10 | 10.60% |
| Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) | 3,200,000.00 | 6.80% |
| International Press Centre | 3,000,000.00 | 6.40% |
| Nigerian Women Trust Fund | 3,000,000.00 | 6.40% |
| The Albino Foundation | 1,400,000.00 | 3.00% |
| Niger-Delta Stakeholder Initiative (NDSI) | 744,772.94 | 1.60% |
| Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung | 500,000.00 | 1.10% |
| SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria | 492,237.00 | 1.00% |
| Justice Development and Peace Maker’s Centre | 367,119.00 | 0.80% |
| Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism | 255,047.49 | 0.50% |
| (Unspecified/Blank) | 400,000.00 | 0.90% |
| Total EU funding = €47,028,393.57 |
[EG1] Source: European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria website: EU-SDGN
