In a surprising turn of events, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has initiated changes to the accredited voter figures displayed on its Results Viewing (IReV) portal for the Kogi State governorship elections. This move comes in light of revealed discrepancies between the numbers captured by the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and those recorded on manual electoral result sheets in several Kogi State polling units.
Instances of significant differences between BVAS figures and manual result sheets have surfaced. For example, at the LGEA School, Enyidudu III Polling Unit in IKARAWORO/IDOBANYERE Ward of Adavi local government area, the BVAS initially recorded 210 accredited voters, but a subsequent check revealed a sudden change to 441.
Similarly, at ABADAGI STREET III polling unit in OGAMINANA ward, ADAVI local government, IReV initially displayed 240 accredited voters, only to see a revision to 758 on Monday. Remarkably, the manual result sheets still contained 760 figures for accredited voters.
These irregularities were not isolated incidents, as similar discrepancies were noted in polling units across Okene, Adavi, and Okehi local government areas of the state. At the Ohiana Farm Settlement polling unit in Onyukoko Ward, Okene local government area, IReV indicated 202 accredited voters, contrasting with the manual record of 535 accredited voters, including 530 valid votes.
In another polling unit in Onyukoko Ward, IReV displayed 217 accredited voters on Saturday, while the manual result sheet revealed a staggering 638 accredited votes, with 630 valid votes.
The unfolding situation raises concerns about the transparency and accuracy of the electoral process, prompting closer scrutiny and calls for a thorough investigation into these discrepancies by relevant authorities.
