Could BVAS Data Flip the 2024 Edo Governorship Election?

Could BVAS Data Flip the 2024 Edo Governorship Election?

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has taken a decisive step in the alleged over-voting in the September 21, 2024 governorship election. The tribunal has now admitted Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines as evidence, following a subpoena secured by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) initially refused to release them voluntarily.

With BVAS now on the table, the stakes couldn’t be higher—is this a game-changer for the PDP’s case?

BVAS vs. INEC’s Declared Results: A Brewing Controversy
At the core of this legal battle is the claim that INEC’s declared results don’t match BVAS accreditation records. According to preliminary findings, in several polling units, the number of votes counted allegedly exceeded the number of voters accredited by BVAS—an anomaly that raises serious electoral integrity concerns.

During tribunal proceedings, a PDP collation agent from Akoko Edo Ward 9 testified under oath that results at the ward level did not match the figures uploaded on INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IREV). Another PDP agent from Oredo Local Government echoed similar concerns, alleging that altered results were presented at collation centers.

To support their claims, PDP submitted certified true copies (CTCs) of BVAS records that they argue highlight significant discrepancies between what was declared and what the system recorded. The tribunal has accepted these exhibits, marking a crucial moment in the case

What This Means for the Election Outcome
For political watchers and legal analysts, the tribunal’s acceptance of BVAS data as primary evidence is a massive development. The Supreme Court has previously ruled that BVAS accreditation data is the most reliable reference for determining the validity of election results. If the tribunal finds that over-voting did occur, it could bolster the PDP’s claim that the election was compromised.

However, Governor Monday Okpebholo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) aren’t backing down. Their legal team is expected to closely examine the BVAS data, challenge the PDP’s evidence, and argue that any discrepancies are clerical errors rather than electoral fraud.

Will the Tribunal Annul the Edo Election?
While BVAS has played a crucial role in recent election disputes, overturning an election result is no small feat. The tribunal must determine:
✅ Were the alleged irregularities widespread enough to change the election outcome?
✅ Can the discrepancies be explained as technical errors or intentional manipulation?
✅ Does the BVAS data conclusively prove over-voting?

If PDP successfully argues its case, the tribunal could order a rerun in affected polling units or, in a worst-case scenario for the APC, nullify the election entirely.

For now, Edo residents—and the entire country—watch as one of the most contentious election petitions in recent history unfolds.

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