BVAS, no mobile phones, facemasks needed… INEC lists 2023 election guidelines

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the guidelines for the 2023 elections.

The commission issued the document on Friday.

The 37-page document contains 106 guidelines, along with health measures that must be adhered to during elections.

According to section 18, verification of voters will be done using the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS).

“18. (a) In accordance with Section 47 (2) of the Electoral Act 2022, a person intending to vote shall be verified to be the same person on the Register of Voters by the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) or any other device approved by the Commission, in the manner prescribed in these Regulations and Guidelines,” the document reads.

Voters are so restricted from taking their phones or similar recording devices to voting cubicles.

Section 49 also restricts collation and returning officers from making or receiving phone calls during collation.

The commission also affirmed the electronic transmission of results after voting at polling units, according to the Electoral Act 2022.

Section 38 reads: “On completion of all the Polling Unit voting and results procedures, the Presiding Officer shall: (i) Electronically transmit or transfer the result of the Polling Unit, direct to the collation system as prescribed by the Commission. (ii) Use the BVAS to upload a scanned copy of the EC8A to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), as prescribed by the Commission. (iii) Take the BVAS and the original copy of each of the forms in tamper[1]evident envelope to the Registration Area/Ward Collation Officer, in the company of Security Agents. The Polling Agents may accompany the Presiding Officer to the RA/Ward Collation Centre.”

On health guidelines, INEC said the use of face masks at polling units is compulsory as anyone who fails to comply would be turned away.

“Wearing of face mask is mandatory at all election locations. An improvised face mask using a handkerchief, scarf or other such materials is acceptable,” the document reads.

“Any person who does not wear a face mask at a polling unit, collation centre or other venues where electoral activities are conducted shall be politely turned away, provided that no person shall wear a face mask branded with the insignia or unique identification of a political party/candidate or indicating the person’s voting preference.”