Chukwuma Soludo, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has expressed shock over the technology breakdown of the Bimodal Verification Accreditation (BVA) system.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been experiencing technical challenges in the use of the BVA device to capture voters in some parts of the state.

Mr Soludo, who arrived at the Polling Unit 002 ,Ward 13, at Ofiyi Square, Isuofia in Aguata Local Government Area, at about 12:15 p.m., could not be captured by the BVA system.

He said, “This BVA technology is a complete failure, and by almost 1.p.m. in the day, voting is yet to start in most of the polling units in the state.

“And in places where it is working, it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to capture a voter. With this crowd, even if the device starts working now, it is not possible to finish up within record time.

“It raises fundamental questions because I’m quite shocked to hear that this technology breakdown is happening all over the state.

“Maybe we will still be optimistic that the challenge will be fixed. I have been here for over 20 minutes, yet no way.”

‘Inadequate number of INEC staff members’

Mr Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), also decried the inadequacy of INEC staff and security personnel in some polling units.

“For example in Uke, there is a ward with 17 polling units but only five have INEC officials. The other 12, no officials.

“There is also the security issue, here in my polling unit, no single policeman.

” In Ihialla, I got a report that materials up until now have not left the local government. It is a very unfortunate situation. INEC should do the needful and make this process successful, ” he said.

Mr Soludo, while urging INEC to fix the technology breakdown, said he was optimistic that the challenge would be addressed soon.

“The INEC chairman assured us that things will get better. So we are hoping the machines start working soon.

The APC candidate commended voters for turning out in large numbers to cast their votes.

“Before 8 a.m., people have turned out in large numbers, even before the arrival of INEC officials, it is very commendable.

“I urge our supporters to exercise patience and ensure they cast their votes whenever the machine starts working.

(NAN)