Anomalies surfaced during the recent off-season governorship elections in Kogi State as discrepancies emerged between the data captured by the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the figures contained in the manual electoral result sheets.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Results Viewing (IReV) portal highlighted these irregularities in various polling units within Okene, Adavi, and Okehi local government areas in Kogi State. For instance, at Ohiana Farm Settlement polling unit in Onyukoko Ward, while IREV displayed 202 accredited voters captured by BVAS, the manual result sheet recorded 535 accredited voters with 530 valid votes.
Similar disparities were observed in other units, such as discrepancies between 217 accredited voters displayed by IREV and 638 recorded in the manual result sheet in another polling unit. The trend continued in multiple locations, raising concerns about the accuracy of the electoral data.
INEC, however, absolved itself of blame regarding these discrepancies, noting that accreditation figures might not be final until synchronization is completed from the devices used during the election.
The discrepancies highlighted by the IREV portal raise questions about the accuracy and reliability of the electoral process in Kogi State. This situation may prompt further scrutiny and calls for measures to ensure the integrity of future electoral processes in the region.
