INEC Acquires 57,000 New BVAS Machines Ahead of 2027 Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the acquisition of 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices as Nigeria steps up preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The development comes as INEC moves into the final stages of preparations for the elections, with the commission saying it is strengthening its technology, logistics and operational systems to improve the credibility and efficiency of the electoral process.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed the development during meetings with media executives and other stakeholders in Abuja. He said the new BVAS devices form part of a broader technology upgrade designed to improve voter accreditation and reduce opportunities for manipulation.
BVAS is used at polling units to verify voters through biometric information, including fingerprints and facial recognition. The system is an important part of Nigeria's current electoral process because it helps confirm that voters are properly accredited before they cast their ballots.
According to INEC, existing BVAS devices have also undergone software hardening, battery optimisation and biometric calibration. The commission says these improvements are intended to prevent accreditation bypass and reduce the possibility of manual manipulation.
INEC Plans BVAS Stress Test
The electoral commission is not simply purchasing the new machines. It also plans to test the devices before the elections.
INEC said a nationwide six-day stress-testing exercise for configured BVAS devices is scheduled for October 23 to 28, 2026. Technical-support training is expected to follow in November, with further strategic preparations planned before election day.
The move is important because the reliability of election technology has remained a major concern among voters and political stakeholders. By testing the equipment ahead of time, INEC hopes to identify technical problems and address them before millions of Nigerians head to polling units.
Over 103 Million Voters Registered
The BVAS announcement comes alongside another major development: INEC says Nigeria's National Register of Voters has now risen to more than 103 million registered voters.
The commission recorded more than 10.7 million new registrations during the recent Continuous Voter Registration exercise, subject to biometric verification. INEC has also announced that nationwide collection of newly produced Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will begin on October 9, 2026.
With such a large number of registered voters, the successful deployment of reliable election technology will be crucial to the smooth conduct of the 2027 polls.
INEC Also Turns to Artificial Intelligence
Technology will play an even bigger role in the coming election as INEC is also establishing a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division within its ICT department.
The commission says AI tools will help address emerging technological challenges, while human oversight will remain mandatory. INEC has also warned about the growing threat posed by deepfakes, manipulated videos, fake audio and other forms of election-related misinformation.
The 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027, according to INEC's official election calendar.
As the countdown continues, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether the new BVAS devices, upgraded systems and additional preparations can deliver a smoother and more trusted voting experience.
For now, INEC says the focus is clear: strengthen the technology, test the systems and prepare early so that when election day arrives, the equipment is ready for the millions of Nigerians expected to participate.
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