AnambraDecides2025: BVAS Glitches Disrupt Voting In Onitsha As Voters Wait For Hours

Voting in the ongoing Anambra State governorship election this morning disrupted in several polling units across Onitsha following widespread malfunctions of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), leaving frustrated voters stranded for hours.

At many polling centres visited by reporters, the BVAS devices either failed to authenticate voters’ fingerprints or facial data, causing long queues and agitation among residents who turned out early to exercise their franchise.

In Onitsha North and Onitsha South local government areas, several presiding officers confirmed that the glitches began shortly after accreditation commenced. “The BVAS is not responding. We’ve tried restarting it several times, but it still won’t verify voters,” said an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ad hoc official at Fegge Ward 4.

Some voters who spoke to journalists accused INEC of poor preparation and technical lapses. “We came out as early as 8 a.m., but it’s almost noon and they haven’t even started accreditation. It’s frustrating,” said Mrs. Ifeoma Nwankwo, a resident of Woliwo Layout.

Despite the hitches, electoral officials assured that the issues were being addressed. INEC’s Head of Voter Education in Anambra, Dr. Chris Nkem, told reporters that technical teams had been deployed to affected polling units to rectify the problems.

“Our technical support staff are on the ground to fix the BVAS issues. We are confident voting will continue smoothly once the devices are recalibrated,” he said.

Meanwhile, observers from civil society groups expressed concern that the delays could lead to voter apathy if not promptly resolved. Representatives of the Situation Room and Yiaga Africa urged INEC to extend voting hours in affected areas to ensure no voter is disenfranchised.

As of the time of filing this report, accreditation had resumed in some polling units in Onitsha South after INEC technicians intervened, though the process remained slow.

The 2025 Anambra governorship election is being closely watched as a major test of Nigeria’s electoral technology and the credibility of the BVAS system, which INEC has repeatedly described as the backbone of transparent elections.