The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices before the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal in Abuja as part of proceedings related to the election dispute.

Appearing before the tribunal under subpoena, Anthony Itodo, a senior technical officer in INEC’s ICT department, confirmed that he brought 148 BVAS devices from 133 polling units. However, counsel for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Robert Emukpoeruo, pointed out a discrepancy in the number of BVAS machines compared to the total polling units.

Itodo clarified that some polling units had two BVAS devices, accounting for the variance. Counsel for Governor Monday Okpebolor, Onyechi Ikpeazu, and Emmanuel Ukala (representing the APC) argued that the issue should not be blown out of proportion.

To address concerns, INEC’s counsel, Kanu Agabi, confirmed that out of 151 polling units, only 148 required BVAS machines, which corresponded with the election records.

Emukpoeruo requested that the BVAS machines be admitted as evidence. Although the defendants objected, the tribunal ruled in favor of admitting the devices as part of the evidence.

The tribunal proceedings continue as the BVAS data is expected to play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the election dispute.