Dare Babalola
The Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) observer group has raised concerns about the brief training schedule for the Independent National Electoral Commission’s ad-hoc staff deployed to operate BVAS machines in the November 8 governorship election.
KDI is a democracy, development, and civic tech non-profit organization, working to strengthen democratic and good governance in Nigeria and across Africa.
The alarm was raised by Oluwafemi John Adebayo, Head of Research and Strategy at KDI, during a pre-election press briefing in Awka on Friday night.
He lamented that 15 days time lag for the training of the commission’s adhoc was not enough for them to come to full grip pf the sensitive BVAS machines and other techniques of he electoral process.
He noted that a similar training exercise in Ondo State lasted about four weeks, making the 15-day training period for Anambra poll staff seem inadequate given the ample preparation time.
Adebayo noted that the INEC had made serious efforts to organise the 2025 governorship poll but wanted about the obvious implications of shorter training timeframe.
He warned that inadequate training could lead to mistakes, such as poor understanding of electoral procedures and BVAS configuration, which could compromise the election’s peacefulness, freedom, fairness, and credibility.
Adebayo questioned the ad-hoc staff’s ability to operate the BVAS machines effectively, citing the lack of refresher training, unlike the experience in Ondo State.
He warned that such unnecessary delays could have regrettable effect in the voting process and confusion at the polling units.
He therefore called on the INEC to take necessary steps towards addressing other issues such as BVAS malfunction, late arrival of materials and logistics challenges.
On his part, KDI Team Leader, Bukola Idowu, said the group was committed to tracking relevant information and data driven advocacy needed for advancing public expectations.
