Our Reporter, Abuja
The Anambra State Civil Society Network (ASCONET) has condemned the recent local government elections conducted in Rivers State, faulting the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for failing to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Coordinator of ASCONET, Prince Chris Azor, in a statement, described the omission as a gross violation of the Electoral Act, 2022, warning that it undermines democracy and threatens the integrity of grassroots governance in Nigeria.
Citing Section 150 of the Act, Azor stressed that procedures adopted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conducting Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections must also apply to local government elections nationwide. He argued that the deployment of BVAS for accreditation and transmission of results has become a mandatory safeguard for credibility, accountability, and transparency.
“By ignoring this legal requirement, RSIEC has compromised the integrity of the Rivers State local government elections, eroded public confidence, and further deepened the crisis of legitimacy surrounding grassroots governance,” Azor said.
He further noted that electoral officials risk criminal liability under subsection (4) of the Act, which places them on the same footing as INEC officials who commit electoral offences.
ASCONET called on the judiciary to exercise its constitutional mandate by reviewing the conduct of the Rivers elections and affirming the supremacy of the Electoral Act. The group also urged the National Assembly and INEC to strengthen oversight of State Independent Electoral Commissions to prevent future violations.
Azor demanded that RSIEC and the Rivers State Government explain their decision to ignore BVAS and implement corrective measures.
He cautioned against normalizing illegality in Nigeria’s electoral system, insisting that local government elections are the foundation of participatory democracy and must not be reduced to what he termed “a charade.”
“The time to act is now, to safeguard the sanctity of the vote and protect the future of our democracy,” Azor declared.
