Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has clarified that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) does not require internet connectivity to function on election day.
Yakubu explained that voter accreditation using BVAS is conducted offline, stressing that the device is designed to verify voters through fingerprint and facial recognition without relying on internet access. According to him, connectivity is only needed later for the transmission of election data to INEC’s Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
He made the clarification amid recurring concerns and public debates about network challenges affecting elections in some parts of the country.
Yakubu emphasized that the offline capability of BVAS was deliberately built into the system to ensure that elections are not disrupted by poor network coverage, particularly in rural areas.
INEC has repeatedly maintained that the technology is aimed at enhancing transparency, credibility, and integrity in Nigeria’s electoral process.
