INEC Accused of Implementing Proposal on BVAS, IReV, Without Credit to Innovators
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
A US-based medical professional, Dr. Adah Edache Obekpa and a diaspora group, the Renaissance Network Africa (RNA) have accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of implementing the use of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), without credit to them.
Obekpa and the group in a letter written on their behalf by their counsel, Mr. Jonathan Akeme said they made the proposal for the use of BVAS and IReV to INEC in 2010, when Prof Atahiru Jega was the chairman.
They were disappointed that the Prof. Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC implemented the proposal it submitted in 2010, without credit to them.
The letter by Akeme, which was made available to THISDAY in Anambra read: “Our clients, Dr. Adah Edache Obekpa and Renaissance Network Africa (RNA), firmly believe in the rights of creators to benefit from and be recognised for their innovative contributions.
“They view INEC’s actions in circumventing their pioneering I-voting proposal as a violation of these fundamental rights.
“Our legal action seeks to protect not only our clients’ interests but also to uphold the principles of transparency, justice, and fair recognition for inventors and innovators. It is our belief that these values must be honored and defended in this matter.”
Obekpa and the RNA insisted that the I-voting proposal for INEC was the same in contents, features, design, and operation as the ification System (BIVAS) tech device and INEC online result viewing portal (IReV).
They alleged that the failure of the BVAS and IReV, as well as the lack of complete transparency in the just-concluded 2023 general elections, was as a result of INEC’s refusal to adopt salient security features contained in the I-voting proposal submitted to the commission.
Akeme said the duo of Dr Obekpa and RNA had approached the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court seeking compensation from INEC and the federal government to the tune of N77 billion, for their novel and innovative I-voting proposal, which birthed the BVAS and IReV.
