OsunDecides2026: 55-year-old voter appeals for help after BVAS facial failure

A 55-year-old voter, Sharafa Lasisi, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resolve a facial recognition failure on the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) that prevented him from voting in Saturday’s Osun governorship election.

Lasisi made the appeal at Polling Unit 006, Ward 04, Isale/Oke-Afo area of Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Area.

He said he made several attempts to have his face verified by the BVAS machine but was unsuccessful.

According to him, electoral officials attributed the problem to poor network connectivity and advised him to return later.

Lasisi said he followed the instruction and returned to the polling unit but encountered the same difficulty.

He said, “My name is Sharafa Lasisi. I am from Alamisi Unit 6. I am 55 years old. I have been to where they are supposed to verify my face but they said the network isn’t letting the verification go through.

“They said I should go and eat at home. I went and came back and it still didn’t go through. I want them to help me so I will be able to cast my vote also.”

The development occurred as voters continued to turn out at polling units across the state to participate in the governorship election.

Lasisi urged INEC officials to intervene and resolve the technical challenge, stressing his desire to exercise his constitutional right to vote.