The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has extended voting in the ongoing Anambra governorship election due to the failure of the Biomodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, in many poling units across the state.
The exercise was also extended beyond the closing time of 2.30pm to 4pm on Saturday.
Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, said BVAS failed in many areas because of software breach.
He disclosed the extension was to enable those who could not cast their votes to do so.
He said; “In cases of sustained malfunction of the BVAS, the Presiding Officer must inform the voters and polling agents that accreditation and voting for the affected Polling Unit shall continue tomorrow or at another time determined by the Commission.
“With this extension of time and the recommencement of accreditation where the BVAS consistently malfunctions, the Commission assures that no voter will be disenfranchised.”
Many polling units experienced the breach, thereby delaying the voting process and frustrating eligible voters.
For instance, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige battled to vote for nearly one hour and had to leave the voting arena at some point.
In his Alor ward in Idemili South local government area, the failure rate was up to 30 percent.
Also, the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Professor Chukwuma Soludo could not cast vote for himself.
Although there was massive turnout in Isuofia, his home town, only one person voted in the area.
But for presence of security operatives at the various polling stations, many eligible voters would have protested angrily.
