Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has disclosed that thieves stole Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines in the states of Katsina and Delta.
Yakubu said the election process had faced difficulties nationwide, including logistical and security issues, during a briefing on Saturday at the collation center in Abuja.
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According to Yakubu, there have been few complaints about the BVAS’s performance overall and in the majority of the nation.
However, he admitted that it had been difficult in some places to open polling places at 8:30 am. Despite the efforts of the commission, this was caused by logistical issues and insecurity.
Yakubu also disclosed that two BVAS devices had been stolen after thugs attacked a polling location in Oshimili, Delta state.
But INEC made sure voting went on by replacing the stolen machines, reestablishing security. In a similar manner, thugs attacked polling places in Safana LGA in Katsina state and stole six BVAS machines, but INEC was able to use spare machines and beef up security so that voting could continue. Three of the stolen BVAS machines have been found by security agencies, but three more are still in the thugs’ possession.
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Yakubu pointed out that the attacks were directed at the BVAS devices rather than the voting booths. He concluded by expressing confidence that, despite the difficulties so far, the electoral process would proceed without incident.