Toba Owojaiye Reporting
The recent PEPT judgment regarding the BVAS (Biometric Voter Authentication System) and the Guinean passport controversy has brought clarity to these contentious issues.
Firstly, the court has dismissed BVAS-related cases, emphasizing that the law does not obligate INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) to exclusively use electronic transmission of election results. This distinction is crucial; Section 50(2) of the Electoral Act, 2022 grants INEC the full authority to decide the voting methods and result transmission procedures for elections.
Additionally, the court highlighted that post-election procedures and the collation of results are covered by Sections 60 and 62 of the Electoral Act. Section 60(1) specifies that presiding officers are responsible for recording the votes cast for each candidate at polling units, using a form designated by the commission.
Furthermore, the tribunal dismissed a petition concerning Bola Tinubu’s alleged perjury, ruling that the Guinean passport submitted as evidence lacked proper verification. The tribunal emphasized that no official representative from Guinea or a certified copy from the country was presented as evidence.
In summary, the PEPT judgment underscores the importance of adhering to legal procedures and requirements in electoral matters, clarifying the role of BVAS and addressing concerns about evidence submission.