(DDM) – Voting in the ongoing Anambra State governorship election has been significantly disrupted in parts of Onitsha Local Government Area due to persistent technical failures with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that at Polling Unit 001, Fegge Ward 5, St. John Primary School, INEC officials and ad-hoc staff arrived early and completed their setup by 8:00 a.m., but were unable to commence accreditation or voting for several hours.
Samuel Obiora, the presiding officer at the unit, told reporters that despite preparations, the malfunctioning BVAS prevented any voting activity for nearly two hours.
“The RAC technician has been here to check the system and promised to bring a replacement BVAS,” he said, highlighting ongoing efforts to resolve the issue.
By 10:01 a.m., voting had still not started at the polling unit, leaving residents frustrated and questioning INEC’s preparedness despite assurances that all technical equipment would function properly.
BVAS, the electronic device used for voter accreditation and transmission of results, is central to INEC’s efforts to ensure credible elections.
However, the recurring failures echo similar incidents during the 2023 general elections, which attracted widespread criticism from civil society groups and voters nationwide.
Reports indicate that voting in other parts of Anambra, including Aguata, Awka South, Orumba North, Nnewi North, and Nnewi South, commenced smoothly, though minor logistical delays were recorded in some units.
INEC confirmed on X that voting was ongoing at PU 014, RA Achina 02, Aguata LGA, noting that electoral processes in parts of Anambra South Senatorial District were proceeding as planned.
Observers from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID Africa) and The ICIR reported that in several polling stations, officials and materials arrived on time, though some areas experienced late arrival of security personnel and low early-morning voter turnout.
At Demonstration Primary School, Agu Oka Ward 01 (Awka South LGA), and Akwuegbo Central School (Nnewi North), election officials were ready by 8:00 a.m., but voting began late in some units due to administrative delays.
Despite these early successes, the BVAS failures in Onitsha and other affected areas have raised serious concerns over the potential impact of technical glitches on voter confidence.
Analysts warn that recurring technological challenges could undermine INEC’s promise of a free, fair, and credible governorship election if not resolved promptly.
Residents at affected polling units expressed disappointment, stating that extended waiting times were discouraging and could negatively affect overall voter participation.
INEC officials assured that replacement devices would be deployed immediately, and that voting would proceed as soon as technical issues were resolved.
The ongoing election continues across Anambra State, with voters, political parties, and observers closely monitoring INEC’s handling of the situation to ensure the credibility of the process.