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2023: INEC Has Given Power To The People, Igini Says BVAS To Curb Rigging, Manipulation

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A former Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for Akwa-Ibom State, Mike Igini has said the commission has given power to people with the introduction of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) for the 2023 general election.

According to him, the introduction of the BVAS technology in the 2023 general election would curb rigging and other forms of electoral manipulations commonly perpetrated by politicians.

Naija News reports that the former REC at a town hall gathering organized by the Abuja leadership centre, in Abuja said there is going to be a major paradigm shift in the forthcoming election with the new electoral reforms.

Igini noted this at the town hall set up by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund at the University of Abuja to deepen youth participation in politics and leadership empowerment of young Nigerians.

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He submitted that “There will be a major paradigm shift in the 2023 polls as voters now have the ultimate power to determine winners of election.

INEC has designed a system that has brought power to the people, that is why many politicians are now afraid.

“The introduction of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System in the conduct of elections will curtail rigging and other form of voting manipulations by politicians .

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“Polling unit, ward and local government collation centres are now mere ceremonial collation centres as results entered into the BVAS are automatically loaded into the cloud system.

“The amended Electoral Act proscribes severe punishment- a prison term of not less than one year or N10 million fine for electoral official that attempts to change election results.”

Naija News also gathered that the statement revealed that the vice-chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’allah pointed out that, “This Centre of Excellence on Public Governance and Leadership has given us the opportunity to help develop leadership for this nation.

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“We are now committed totally as a university to change the cause for this nation. You know, when people say their problem is not money but how to spend it, we must teach Nigeria how to spend money, how to make decisions, how to select leaders who are ready.

“The Centre is bringing people of thought, people who are articulate, who constantly have been discussing this and allowing us to talk about it in an environment where our young people are seating, because they are the future of us.

”They will begin to imbibe this and they will also begin to ask questions. We want Nigerians to be asking these questions. Is voting the end of the story? Or voting and seat there and proudly say- I am standing and seating by my vote?”

Also speaking at the town hall was the Director of the Centre, Professor Philip Afaha, who said “The objective of organising this town hall is to educate the public and not just the public but the young public. The University is predominantly peopled by young Nigerians and they have the right to know what will be happening in the country by February and March next year.

“We are approaching a very significant phase in our nation which has to do with electing those that will be in charge in the next four years. It is important to educate the young minds because these are people that are disengaged from the leadership system and establishment.

“Election is very important and cannot be left in the hands of politicians alone. They (young ones) must know the technicalities, BVAS, transmission of results, how voting is to be done.”