Nigeria 2015 Polls: INEC tests card readers today amid controversy

The Independent National Electoral Commission will today test the card readers in 12 states amid controversy over the use of the new device in the conduct of the next general elections.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress have been engaging in war of words over the use of the card readers in the forthcoming polls.

While the Director of Legal Affairs of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, had said that the party did not support the use of the device because it is illegal and unconstitutional and that it had not been tested in any election in the past, the APC described the PDP’s rejection of the use of the device as a vindication of its claim that the ruling party was desperate to rig the general elections.

Fifteen political parties and five presidential candidates participating in the forthcoming elections had also opposed the proposed use of card readers.

But the electoral body said apart from the fact that the card reader was designed to function effectively, it would also enhance the credibility of the polls.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, while appearing before the Senate a few days ago, explained the importance of the usage of the device and assured of its reliability, contrary to the fear nursed by some people that the machine might malfunction in the course of accreditation of voters.

The commission selected two states from each of the six geo-political zones of the country for the exercise.

The states selected for the exercise are Ekiti, Lagos, Anambra, Ebonyi, Delta and Rivers. Others include Kano, Kebbi, Bauchi, Taraba, Niger and Nasarawa.

According to the INEC, the card readers will be tested in two wards in each of the states.

...Punch