The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has submitted the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used in the September 21, 2024, Edo State Governorship Election to the Election Tribunal.
The submission, which follows a subpoena obtained by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is a major development in the party’s legal challenge against the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
PDP has alleged widespread over-voting, arguing that the results declared by INEC exceeded the number of accredited voters in multiple polling units.
The Tribunal has now accepted the BVAS machines as evidence, a move that could play a crucial role in determining the credibility of the election outcome.
During Thursday’s proceedings, PDP witnesses testified that results uploaded on INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IREV) did not match those collated at the ward and polling unit levels.
Certified true copies of election documents presented by PDP also noted discrepancies in accreditation figures.
Legal analysts suggest that the BVAS data could significantly impact the case, as the Supreme Court has previously ruled that BVAS remains the primary source of voter accreditation data.
