This article was originally published as: BIMODAL VOTERS ACCREDITATION SYSTEM (BVAS) MACHINES AND ELECTIONS INTEGRITY IN NIGERIA: AN APPRAISAL OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION IN KOGI STATE
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Abstract
The objective of this paper was to ascertain whether or not the deployment of BVAS machines actually enhanced elections integrity during the 2023 general election in Kogi state, Nigeria. To achieve this objective, the paper deployed Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) as a framework of analysis and collected data from primary sources such as Structured Questionnaire (SQ) and secondary sources such as books, journals, and web-based, materials among others. Data collected via SQ were analysed using descriptive statistics while research hypothesis was tested at 5% level of significance using non-parametric statistics (chi-square). The results of the test of hypothesis revealed that the deployment and use of BVAS machines did not improve the integrity of the 2023 general election in Kogi state, Nigeria. Further findings reveal that INEC actually failed to upload the poll results, especially the presidential election results on the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal in real-time as well as the unprecedented level of electoral malpractices that characterised the process. Based on these finding, the paper concludes that, if such practices are not urgently addressed; democracy may not be the only casualty as the Nigerian state may eventually collapse under the unenviable weight of electoral violence consequent upon incessant electoral irregularities. Based on this conclusion, the paper recommends among others that, INEC should live up to its name by being independent and ensure it conducts elections without fear or favour and in accordance with the provisions of the electoral law.
Authors
- Ahmed Audu YUSUFU (Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State-Nigeria)
- Mahmud Gana IDREES (Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State)
Keywords
BVAS Machines, Election Integrity, Electoral Fraud, General Election
References
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