BVAS, IREV: Game-Changers or Gimmicks Ahead of 2027?

By Zebulon Chinedu Obi Esq.

As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general election, the wounds of 2023 remain open. Once again, our trust has been shaken by the very institution meant to protect our democracy.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) unveiled BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) and IREV (INEC Result Viewing Portal) with much enthusiasm, selling them to Nigerians as revolutionary tools that would ensure electoral transparency and integrity.

But like the proverbial Trojan horse, what seemed like a gift turned out to be something else.

The Promise That Failed
During the 2023 elections, BVAS largely succeeded in accrediting voters. That part of the process was smooth. But when it came to transmitting real-time polling unit results to the IREV portal, everything fell apart.

INEC blamed “technical glitches,” but those glitches conveniently occurred during the presidential election, while other, less sensitive elections proceeded without much issue.

It wasn’t just a tech issue—it felt like betrayal.

Judicial Greenlight for Institutional Ambiguity

Following petitions at the presidential election tribunal, the courts ruled that INEC was not under a legal obligation to electronically transmit results. The ruling sent shockwaves through the legal and civic space.

Many believed the Electoral Act 2022 had ushered in a new era of enforceable transparency, but the courts exposed loopholes and reasserted INEC’s discretion.

What many Nigerians heard from the ruling was this: IREV is a suggestion, not a standard.

Can We Trust BVAS and IREV in 2027?
The 2027 elections will not be saved by good intentions. They will not be rescued by last-minute promises. They will only be credible if the legal framework mandates—not merely recommends—technological transparency.

It is not enough for INEC to say it will use BVAS and IREV. The law must say it, enforce it, and punish failure to comply.

Urgent Legal Reforms Before 2026
To salvage 2027, the National Assembly must act now.

Amendments to the Electoral Act must:
Civil Society Must Not Sleep
While politicians are already strategizing for 2027, civil society, legal professionals, and the media must begin pushing for legislative action. We must not wait for election-year crises.

By mid-2026, all reforms must be enacted and tested. Every delay now feels less like oversight and more like design.

Conclusion: Cosmetic Reform Is Not Enough
BVAS and IREV were designed to work. What failed was the political will to allow them to work, and the legal teeth to enforce their use.

As we move toward another critical election cycle, Nigerians must demand clarity, enforcement, and consequences. We can’t keep applauding technology when it’s used only when convenient.

If nothing changes, 2027 might just be a painful repeat of what we saw in 2023.
About the Author

Obi Esq. is a legal practitioner and policy commentator based in Lagos. He specializes in electoral justice and constitutional law.
Email: [rabbichairman@gmail.com] | Twitter/X: @Rabbichairman; insta: @Learned_rabbi