INEC Chairman: Thugs snatched BVAS machines in Katsina, Delta
Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines were stolen in the states of Katsina and Delta, according to Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Yakubu said that on Saturday, during a briefing at the collation center in Abuja, that the electoral process had faced some difficulties nationwide, including logistical and security issues.
According to Yakubu, few complaints about the BVAS’s performance were made and it had worked flawlessly in the majority of the nation.
He did admit, though, that it had been difficult in some places because polls couldn’t open until 8:30 am. Despite the commission’s best efforts, this was due to insecurity and logistical issues.
Thugs had reportedly attacked a voting location in Oshimili, Delta state, and taken two BVAS machines, according to Yakubu.
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However, INEC made sure that voting went on by replacing the machines that had been stolen, reestablishing security. Similar incidents occurred in Safana LGA of Katsina State where thugs attacked polling places and stole six BVAS machines; however, INEC was able to use spare machines and beef up security to allow voting to continue. Security organizations have found three of the stolen BVAS units, but three are still in the hands of the criminals.
Yakubu pointed out that the BVAS machines, not the ballot boxes, were the targets of the attacks. He concluded by expressing confidence that the electoral process would proceed without incident despite the difficulties so far.
