ELECTORAL REFORMS AND ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA’S FOURTH REPUBLIC: EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BIMODAL VOTER ACCREDITATION SYSTEM (BVAS) IN THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Adamu Sa’adu

ABSTRACT

The paper analyses electoral reforms and elections in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. It specifically explores rationale for electoral reforms and evaluates the effectiveness of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the conduct of the 2023 general elections. It is observed that, the introduction of BVAS was aimed at enhancing the transparency of election results and ultimately boosting public trust in electoral outcomes. Qualitative method of data collection has been used with data obtained mainly from secondary sources including library and the internet materials. Innovation Diffusion Theory has been applied as the theoretical framework of analysis. Drawing verifiable insights from the performances of the new technology (BVAS) in the 2023 general election in Nigeria, the paper contends that while the technological reform recorded some remarkable improvements in the conduct of the elections, especially in terms of efficient voters’ accreditation, reduction in incidences of over voting, hijacking of election materials, intimidation of political opponents and attacks on security personnel, among others, it has failed in transparent collation or transmission of results to INEC Results Verification (IReV)Portal as promised by the Electoral Management Body. Though technological innovation is critical component of effective election administration in modern times, technological revolution without basic attitudinal and behaviuoral change, is grossly inadequate for electoral system to succeed. It is, therefore, recommended that INEC should strive to improve its efficiency in operation and functionality of BVAS while value reorientation should be promoted to foster basic change of political attitudes and behaviour of the entire citizenry towards greater transparency and credibility in the electoral process.

Key words: Electoral reform, Election, Electronic voting, BVAS