Ekiti PDP Candidate Faults BVAS, Alleges Harassment Of Supporters

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Wole Oluyede, on Saturday criticised the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System at his polling unit, saying the device delayed accreditation and voting.

Naija News reports that Oluyede spoke after casting his vote at Unit 6, Ward 3, Osagburu Family Hall, in Ikere-Ekiti.

The PDP candidate lamented that the BVAS device was malfunctioning, resulting in a slow accreditation process.

As of the time he spoke, only six voters had reportedly been accredited since voting commenced at 8:30 am.

INEC officials were seen making efforts to rectify the situation and ensure the device functioned effectively. Reacting to the development, Oluyede described the process as unacceptable.

“The electoral process is nonsense. A lot of my people are yet to vote because the BVAS is not functioning properly.

“I am not happy with the current electoral process; this is not the first time that the machine is being faulty at my polling unit.

“I am going to make adequate reports of these irregularities to the appropriate authority,” he said.

Oluyede urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure greater transparency in the conduct of elections.

He said electoral challenges such as malfunctioning accreditation devices could undermine voters’ confidence in the process.

The PDP governorship candidate also alleged that some of his supporters were being harassed at various polling units.

“Some of my followers are being harassed at the polling units by security agencies, and no media is reporting the incident,” he alleged.

Oluyede, however, said he would remain at the polling area after voting to ensure his supporters were able to cast their ballots.

“I have cast my vote, but I will still wait to ensure that all my supporters also cast their votes,” he said.