Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called for an independent and comprehensive audit of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Gatekeepers News reports that Atiku raised the concern over what he described as the use of outdated software on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) BVAS devices, warning that the situation could create cybersecurity and operational risks during the elections.
The former vice-president, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, said the audit should cover both the hardware and software components of the devices, including their source code and security architecture.
He said the need for an independent assessment had become more urgent following technical failures recorded during the mock accreditation exercise conducted in Osun State on August 1.
Atiku also referenced concerns over the operating system used on the BVAS devices. INEC’s Director of ICT, Lawrence Bayode, had reportedly disclosed that the devices, first deployed in 2021, are still running on Android 10.
According to Atiku, election technology requires regular upgrades and independent scrutiny to ensure its reliability and protect the integrity of the electoral process.
He urged INEC and relevant stakeholders to conduct the audit before the 2027 polls, saying this would help identify vulnerabilities and address potential security or technical problems before election day.
Atiku’s demand comes as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify, with concerns over the reliability and security of Nigeria’s electoral technology becoming an increasingly important part of the political debate.
