Elections in Nigeria have always been defined by controversies. Electoral malpractice, ranging from ballot snatching to result sheet manipulations, has persistently plagued our democracy. However, in 2015, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) introduced the Smart Card Reader, which sought to verify voters electronically for the first time.
It was far from perfect. Machines failed, networks crashed, and officials reverted to manual accreditation in many places. In fact, BusinessDay reported how over 5.8 million people went on to vote without digital accreditation.
Learning from those mistakes, INEC launched the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in 2021 to replace the card reader. Alongside it came the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, where Nigerians could log on to see polling unit results in real time.
Both systems played significant roles during the 2023 general elections. While some hailed them as milestones in electoral transparency, others criticised them as flawed, particularly after the prolonged delay in uploading the presidential results
With the Anambra governorship election approaching, these two acronyms, BVAS and IReV, are beginning to brew controversies and confusion. To help clear the air, here are six misconceptions about BVAS and IReV.
- “BVAS means we now vote electronically”
This is perhaps the most common misunderstanding. This misconception spread during the 2021 Anambra governorship election, where BVAS was first tested. Many voters arrived at polling stations expecting electronic voting, where you press a button and your vote goes directly to a server. But that was not the case.
In reality, BVAS has not replaced the traditional ballot paper system. You will still thumbprint on paper, and your votes will still be counted manually at the polling unit.
What then is BVAS meant for? BVAS simply ensures you are who you claim to be before you can vote. The machine verifies your identity by scanning your fingerprints or face to ensure you are not impersonating anybody. Apart from that, it is also used to transmit results to IReV after everyone has voted.
Therefore, for the 2025 Anambra election, you should be prepared for manual voting supported by digital checks.
- “If my fingerprint fails, I won’t be able to vote”
This fear is valid but rooted in Nigeria’s long history of faulty machines on election day, especially with their repeated experiences with the Smart Card Reader failures pre-2023. Nigerians still carry that trauma.
However, BVAS has two verification methods: fingerprint and facial recognition. If one fails, INEC says the other steps in. Unfortunately, when both fail, you may be unable to vote.
However, the multi-accreditation mode of BVAS represents a significant improvement over the smart card reader.
- “Results are counted and declared on IReV”
Because we have established that BVAS accredits you and IReV lets you see results, many voters may still assume that IReV is a digital collation centre where winners are announced. This is false.
The INEC result viewing portal is more like a public notice board, but in digital form. After polling unit officials count votes and record them on paper, they scan the result sheet and upload it to IReV for everyone to see.
Therefore, it is important for you to understand that IReV does not declare winners. Results are still counted and declared manually at the ward, LGA, and state collation centres, and that has not been replaced.
- “Once results are uploaded to IReV, rigging is impossible”
While many expected IReV to eliminate election fraud, the 2023 general elections revealed otherwise. Watchdogs observed discrepancies between some results uploaded on IReV and the figures later announced at collation centres
Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) argued that the promise of real-time transparency was undermined. INEC later admitted technical glitches delayed uploads, which further fuelled suspicion.
Although uploading results to IReV has made it more difficult to tamper with polling unit outcomes, manipulation remains possible during collation, where figures from hundreds of units are aggregated.
- “IReV is for politicians”
IReV was created for everyone in Nigeria, not just politicians, party agents or INEC. As long as you can access a smartphone and the internet, you can monitor uploaded results from different polling units by logging onto the IReV portal.
That means you can view results uploaded on the portal and compare what was uploaded from your unit with what was later announced at collation. By doing this, you are also taking ownership of the election and demanding accountability from people who may want to manipulate results.
- “BVAS always works perfectly”
Nigerians who witnessed the 2023 general elections know this is untrue. On the contrary, BVAS was reported to have malfunctioned in several states due to poor connectivity and unskilled officials. In some polling units, accreditation stretched for hours and left voters frustrated.
While INEC insists it has learned lessons and improved its systems, it may not be out of place to expect some form of glitches on election day.
Written & edited by Nigeria Fact-Checkers Coalition (NFC) ahead of the Anambra 2025 election.
]]>The Nigerian Electoral Act 2022 outlines the qualifications required to participate in elections in Nigeria, some of which include: being a citizen of Nigeria, attaining the age of 18 years, and being ordinarily resident in, working in, or originating from the Local Government, Area Council, or Ward covered by the registration centre.
Also, sections 77(2), 17(2), 132(5), 178(5) of the Nigerian 1999 constitution, affirm the eligibility of registering to vote, exercising one’s constitutional responsibility and other requirements needed of an aspirant and electorates.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently announced the commencement of Continuous Voters Registration(CVR), open to Nigerian citizens who are unregistered and above 18 and those who want to update their voter information.
CVR is the process through which INEC registers new voters and updates voter information, such as change of residence, correction of details, or replacement of lost or damaged PVCs.
This process allows interested citizens to register and obtain their PVCs seamlessly. The CVR portal also grants access to checking the status of one’s voter card and the designated pickup centre.
To make this easy for Nigerians, ROUNDCHECK has provided a step-by-step guide to register for your PVC through the CVR portal and also the process of collection.
Step 1: Visit the INEC CVR Portal
Citizens who want to register should visit the INEC CVR portal to access the website and begin registration.
Then, click on “Get Started” and select Start Registration in the icon “New Voter Pre-Registration”
You will be required to register an account if you don’t have an account or log in if you do.
After creating an account, you will be asked to confirm your email and redirected to the site to log in. Then you will be left with the choice to re-register, review your registration, change your voting location – Transfers, Correction of registered information – Information Update, Collection of PVC, and replacement of lost or damaged PVC.
STEP 2: Select New Voter Registration and click on “Start Registration”
Next, you will be directed to a page to fill in all important personal details needed for the registration.
Step 3: You’ll fill in the necessary details.
These details include: bio-data, residential details, origin information, preferred polling unit, and supporting documents.
Afterwards, you will be given a Pre-Registration number.
Step 4: You are required to upload headshots.
Two headshots will be required of you: one with a neutral expression and the other with a smile, both taken against a white or cream background.
These headshots will undergo a quality check test. If they are accepted, you will then be directed to a page to schedule an appointment for a biometrics registration based on the location details you included in your registration.
STEP 5: Schedule an appointment for Biometric Capture.
You are expected to choose your preferred location for your Biometric capture and complete your registration.
This completes the end of your online CVR registration.
Conclusion
The virtual Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) is currently ongoing, and INEC has informed citizens that physical registration will commence on August 25, 2025. However, online registration will end on December 10, 2025.
It is important to commence your registration now, so that you can obtain your PVC, which will allow you to vote in Nigerian elections – as it is your constitutional right to do so.
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