Election Technologies: BVAS and Public Trust in Nigerian Elections in Local Jurisdiction Context

Elections are the cornerstone of any democratic society, ensuring the voice of the people is heard. The use of technology in election processes, often referred to as election automation, has become increasingly prevalent worldwide. This study delved into the complex relationship between the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and public trust in elections from the local electorate’s perspective. As survey research, estimation method at 5% significance was used to draft a total of 351 respondents from the registered voters in the Yewa South gather data on the strategies, public trust and challenges associated with the implementation of BVAS by INEC during the 2023 Presidential Elections. The findings revealed diverse implications and challenges associated with the implementation of BVAS in ensuring public trust in the 2023 presidential election. Based on the findings, actionable policy options were offered for the effective implementation of the BVAS for further elections in Nigeria.

Keywords: Public Trust, Election Automation, Voters Confidence, Electoral System, BVAS.