Paper Contents
Abstract
This study examined the effects of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) on the integrity, transparency, and voter turnout in the 2023 presidential elections in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The research focuses on the socio-political and cultural factors influencing the systems implementation and its broader implications for the electoral process. A quantitative method in which the cross-sectional design was employed. The sample size for this study is 3,200 respondents randomly sampled from the eight local governments of the State. The data from the research instrument was analyzed using one-way ANOVA, to test the hypotheses. The findings reveal that BVAS significantly enhanced the transparency and integrity of the election by curbing electoral malpractice, such as multiple voting and ballot stuffing. However, challenges including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient training of electoral officials, and limited public awareness about BVAS hindered its full potential. Additionally, the socio-political climate in Bayelsa, marked by electoral violence and voter intimidation, negatively impacted voter turnout, particularly in rural and marginalized areas. Despite these setbacks, BVAS contributed to restoring public confidence in the electoral process by improving the credibility of the results. The study recommended among others that enhanced investment in technological infrastructure, comprehensive training for electoral officials, and targeted voter education campaigns should be provided to ensure broader acceptance of BVAS. Furthermore, measures to address electoral violence and intimidation are critical for fostering a safer environment that encourages voter participation. These findings underscore the need for a holistic approach to implementing electoral technologies to strengthen Nigeria's democratic processes.
Copyright
Copyright © 2024 Zephaniah Osuyi Edo. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.
