INEC Acquires 57,000 New BVAS Machines as Nigeria Prepares for 2027 Elections

 

Nigeria's preparations for the 2027 general elections have entered a new phase after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the acquisition of 57,000 additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.

The announcement was made by INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, during a strategic workshop for media executives in Abuja. The new equipment is part of the commission's efforts to strengthen election technology and improve the credibility of future elections.

INEC also disclosed that Nigeria's national register of voters has now grown to more than 103 million.

Why INEC Is Buying More BVAS Machines

BVAS technology plays an important role in Nigerian elections. The system is used to verify voters through biometric information, including fingerprints and facial recognition, before accreditation.

INEC said the additional machines are intended to improve its technological capacity ahead of the 2027 elections.

The commission also revealed that existing BVAS devices have undergone software hardening, battery optimisation and biometric calibration. According to INEC, these measures are designed to strengthen the system and reduce opportunities for accreditation bypass and manual manipulation.

Voter Register Rises Above 103 Million

The announcement comes as the number of registered Nigerian voters has risen above 103 million.

The increase follows the completion of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, giving INEC a larger electorate to prepare for ahead of the next general election.

The commission has also announced that nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards is scheduled to begin on Friday, October 9, 2026.

INEC Promises a Credible Election

INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan said the commission has no preferred candidate or political party and that its responsibility is to deliver free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

With the 2027 election approaching, the use of technology is expected to remain an important part of the electoral process.

The latest BVAS investment therefore represents one of the commission's major preparations for handling the country's increasingly large voter population.

What the New BVAS Means for 2027

The acquisition of 57,000 additional devices could help INEC deploy enough equipment across polling units and reduce logistical pressure during accreditation.

However, technology alone cannot guarantee a credible election. Election officials, political parties, security agencies and voters will all have important roles to play.

INEC's announcement also comes at a time when concerns about election misinformation and manipulation remain prominent.

The commission has therefore urged journalists and other stakeholders to help build an information environment based on verified facts.

As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general elections, the focus will now turn to how effectively INEC deploys the new equipment and whether the technology delivers a smoother and more transparent voting process.