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Tag: Inec

  • APC hails INEC on card readers, PVCs

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on its decision to use the card reader for the forthcoming elections.

    In a statement by Dele Alake, Director of Strategic Communications of the party’s Presidential Campaign Organisation, the APC said that with INEC’s decision to use the card readers and its insistence on accepting only the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) for voting, a massive blow has been dealt to the carefully laid out rigging plans of the ruling party.

    The party further disclosed that INEC’s decision has derailed the PDP’s plans to massively deploy cloned voters cards on the days of the elections.

    Alake called on all Nigerians to back INEC in what he called its “patriotic decision” so that the forces of retrogression will not sway the electoral umpire to change its mind.

  • Polls: No going back on Card Readers, says INEC

    Polls: No going back on Card Readers, says INEC

    ‘Policemen’ seize PVCs from owners

    Cards collection extended to March 22

    Opponents of Card Reader got yesterday some bad news: the machine will be used for the March 28 and April 11 elections.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did a test run of the machine last Saturday. It was largely successful. This, said an INEC chief, has raised the agency’s confidence in the machine, which it insists will curb rigging.

    The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is leading the opposition against the machine, saying it is new and untested.

    INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega will meet with Resident Electoral Commissioners on Wednesday in Abuja to discuss the Saturday  mock election, especially the use of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    Contrary to reports, only one case of a weak  Card Reader was recorded at INEC’s Situation Room on Saturday.

    INEC yesterday extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from March 8 to March 22.

    As at March 4, the commission had recorded 80.3 percent collection of the PVCs nationwide.

    A National Commissioner, who spoke with our correspondent, said the electoral body would not drop Card Readers.

    He said: “Nothing happened during the mock election on Saturday to warrant going back on the use of Card Readers for the general elections. The deployment of the Card Readers was successful and even international observers from the UN have attested to it.

    “Contrary to some claims, only one case of Card Reader challenge was recorded at our Situation Room and it was a human thing.

    “And concerning some alleged hitches, there were guidelines  on what to do at any polling unit to make sure that an eligible voter is allowed to exercise his or her right.”

    Responding to a question, the highly-placed source said: “The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega will meet with the National Commissioners and all the 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners on Wednesday in Abuja on the outcome of the Mock Election in 12 states and the use of Card Readers.”

    The INEC chairman’s Chief Press Secretary Mr. Kayode Idowu, told our correspondent that the mock election was “largely successful”.

    “The flaws being claimed were anticipated. The states where fingerprints were not authenticated had the PVC incident form procedure, it was agreed with political parties that the form will be filled,” Idowu said.

    Meanwhile, the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) was yesterday extended to March 22.

    Prior to the extension, the collection of PVCs, which had reached 80.3 per cent as at March 4, would have ended yesterday.

    A statement signed by Idowu said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) across the country by additional two weeks.

    “The collection will continue until March 22nd, 2015, superseding the earlier deadline of March 08th 2015.

    “This latest extension offers the last opportunity for duly registered persons to collect their PVCs before the general elections scheduled for March 28th and April 11th, 2015.

    “INEC hereby calls on registered persons that are yet to collect their PVCs to use this last opportunity in doing so, in order to participate in the forthcoming general elections.”

    The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties(CNPP) yesterday asked INEC to stick to the use of Card Readers.

    The conference, which gave the advice in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, urged INEC to take note of the few lapses noted and improve on the device, so as to engender free, fair and transparent election.

    The statement said: “The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP ) wishes to unequivocally state that we stand on the use of Magnetic Card Reader for accreditation of voters in the 2015 general elections.

    “The mock test of the Magnetic Card Reader, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), even if the picture is the only identification matrix, has further emboldened and reinforced our resolve to adopt the device as the best device to avoid mangling and manipulating the electoral process.

    “INEC should take note of the few lapses noted and improve on the device, so as to engender free, fair and transparent election. This will put paid to those who would want to repeat in Medical School after failing.

    “We are making this declaration because in the absence of genuine reason, we adopt a device which has been used to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in many countries, like the US, UK, Brazil,  Ghana, and the 2014 Indian general  elections, an election where 600 million Indian voters voted seamlessly.

    “It is regrettable that those who a few years back, declared that telephone is not for the Nigerian poor are behind the call for the rejection of Magnetic Card Reader technology for accreditation of Nigerian voters.

    “We had thought that the lesson today that both the groundnut seller and the rich are using telephone is enough lesson on adaptation of new technology to advance our electoral process, which in the past was marred by irregularities.

    “CNPP concurs with the valid evidence that the use of Magnetic Card Reader for accreditation  of voters will minimize, if not eradicate ballot- box snatching, thumb printing of ballot papers and snatching of result sheets.”

    The CNPP faulted the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) for its hysteria on Card Readers.

    The statement added: “We are therefore at a loss why the largest party in Africa – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – a party that has ruled our dear country for the last 16 years – is jittery and enveloped with hysteria over the use of the Magnetic Card Reader to advance our electoral process.

    “To worsen matters, the PDP is desperately recruiting other political parties in this ignoble, undemocratic and unpatriotic onslaught on the nerve of our fledgling democracy.

    “Accordingly, we take exception to our membership political parties that are wittingly or unwittingly against the deployment of Magnetic Card Reader, hence threatening the survival of our fledgling democracy and, by extension, the corporate existence of our dear country.

    “We have anxiously noted the nefarious,  unethical and undemocratic agitations of some political parties in league with the PDP for either the removal of Professor Attahiru Jega or dumping of Magnetic Reader for no just cause.

    “Penultimate week they canvassed with the PDP for postponement of the 14th February presidential elections and it was granted, yesterday they headed for court, asking that Magnetic Card Reader should be discarded and today they are not only canvassing for another postponement, but querying the technical competence of the Card Reader and Jega’s head.

    “The mock test invalidates their weak argument. May we ask, if the PDP leadership  is sure of victory, will they have called for postponement of the 14th February presidential election date and suspension of Jega or the rejection of Magnetic Card Reader?

    “Or is it morbid election-phobia stimulated in recognition of the core ingredient of election in liberal democracy, which is electoral referendum on the performance of the incumbent, which is making PDP jittery?

    “In sum, the CNPP will eject membership political parties that engage in unethical and undemocratic agitation and embark on mass action, if either Jega is removed, Card Reader deleted or even the Temporary Voters Card added for accreditation.”

  • INEC’s Card Reader passes litmus test

    INEC’s Card Reader passes litmus test

     The Smart Card Readers (SCRs)were used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the weekend for biometric  verifications of potential voters and a mock poll. It was without any major hitch. Stakeholders and observers say it has come to stay as an antidote to rigging. RAYMOND MORDI, LEKE SALAUDEEN and MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE take a look at the results from the states and the way forward as enumerated by experts.  

    After the field testing of Smart Card Readers (SCRs) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the weekend, the verdict was that it was largely successful. Going by reports from the 12 states where it was tested, the machines performed excellently. According to INEC, there are two steps to be followed in the usage of the SCRs. One is authentication; to ascertain that the card was issued by INEC. The implication is that if anybody brings a fake Permanent Voter Card (PVC), the machine will not authenticate or recognise it as INEC’s card. So, the issue of fake cards or clowned PVCs will not arise.

     

    Impressive turnout in Lagos

     

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos, Mr. Akin Orebiyi said: “The next step, after the authentication, is the verification stage, where the bearer of the card will be asked to put his thumb on a particular point on the SCR, to verify whether he or she is the rightful owner of the card. The implication of this is that no person can use another person’s PVC. Impliedly, nobody can be accredited and possibly vote in more than one polling centre.”

    The reports were the same from the 12 states chosen across the six geo-political zones by the electoral umpire to test run biometric confirmation of potential voters.

    The states are; Lagos, Ekiti, Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Anambra, Taraba, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger and Bauchi.

    Orebiyi said the mock poll was successful. According to him, there were hitches with few of the machines because the PVCs’ owners’ fingers were wet. The Lagos REC, in a telephone interview, told The Nation  that the aim of the test-run was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the SCRs to the public; to demonstrate that PVCs can only be used at the designated polling units. He said that many intending voters, who were not registered in Onigbongbo Ward where the mock poll took place, were rejected by the machines.

    Orebiyi said the exercise has proved the efficacy of the new device.

    His words: “There was nowhere the battery failed during the exercise. In few instances, where the cards could not be identified by the machines, we used the back-up register to identify the card owner. Those in this category were about five per cent.  May be their hands were wet but with the back-up register, we were able to identify them.

    “The test-run has given us the opportunity to demonstrate the process for accreditation on election days. We will continue to educate the voters as we have planned to hold town hall meetings in all the 774 local government areas in the state, Orebiyi said.

    INEC hailed in Niger

    In Niger State, 58 per cent of those who took part were cleared as authentic. The machine rejected the remaining 42 per cent voters.

    The National Commissioner for the electoral body, Dr. Chris Iyimoga, said the figures were from the 18 polling units in the ward, which initially had a total of 10,243 persons with PVCs and Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs). Only 1,799 eligible voters, he added, turned up for the exercise out of which 1,045 were authenticated by the SCRs.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state commended INEC for the mock poll, saying the machine was free from abuse. Its Publicity Secretary, Jonathan Vatsa, who observed the exercise, said INEC did a fantastic job, adding that it would knock out the issue of multiple voting.

    “The APC is in support of the card reader. This shows that we are moving away from the old age to the new age and that we are moving forward as a nation,” he said.

     

    Minor hitches in Kano

    The turnout was impressive in Kano State where stakeholders and described the process as hugely successful.

    According to the REC in the state, Alhaji Minkaila Abdullahi, the only challenge facing the Commission is the minor problem of the SCRs not capturing some of the finger prints. This, he said, could be attributed to the texture of individual skin. “So, the machine is reliable for the elections,” Abdullahi said.

    “The commission is mindful of the fact that there is need for assessment and that is why the accreditation is now made to take place from 8a.m. to 1 p.m. The outcome of this exercise will determine the acceptability of the card reader machine for the election.”

     

    Era of poll’s fraud over in Bauchi

    The verdict in Bauchi, in the view of the REC, Prof. Hamman Saad, after the exercise, was that the era of electoral malpractices was over and that card readers have come to stay. Prof. Saad dismissed ongoing campaigns by some groups and politicians for the rejection of SCRs for the forthcoming general elections.

    He maintained that “nothing will further strengthen and deepen democracy in Nigeria better than the use of the card readers.”

     

    No major problem in Delta

    The mock verification in Delta State was also largely successful despite minor hitches and poor turnout. The SCRs performed without any major problem at the Niger Mixed Secondary School and Asagba Primary Schools in Asaba, the state capital. Delta State Independent Election Commission (DSIEC) chief, Moses Ogbe, urged Nigerians to give card readers a chance. He stated that the error margins of the device were negligible.

    According to him, the electoral body may provide basic facilities at polling units to accommodate those whose fingerprints were dirty and could not be verified by the card readers.

     

    Finger prints rejection in Anambra blamed on dirty fingers 

    In Anambra State, the REC, Mr. Edwin Offor Nwatarali, explained that many of the rejected finger prints were attributed to greasy or dirty fingers. He said the commission, however, overcame the problem by making the voters wash their hands and cleaning them properly before coming to thumb print.

    “The readers were in good shape and would work smoothly. We believe that on the whole, the card will help us to have credible election,” Nwatarali said.

    The minor hitches ranged from the inability of the SCRs to identify some fingers and thumb prints and the slow pace of the process. In Niger State for instance, the major grouse was on the time spent on the accreditation of each voter. Many of the participants that took part in the mock polls described the process as “too slow.”

     

    Smooth verifications in Kaduna, Kwara and FCT

    INEC National Commissioner supervising Kaduna, Kwara, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Dr. Chris Iyimoga, told reporters that the mock verification was smooth except for few hitches with some SCRs which could be due to finger identification.

    He said: “In some instances, people cleaned their hands with methylated spirit which has to do with the level of cleanliness of fingers, because, as soon as the fingers are cleaned, you will be through.”

    He disclosed that the over 70 per cent of eligible voters in Gwada ward, who initially failed the verification test were identified as eligible voters since the data in the PVC corresponded with theirs and since the machine also identified them as the genuine owners of the PVCs they presented.

    In all, with the success recorded during the mock verification, it appears that the PVCs and SCRs have come to stay.

    A prospective voter who participated in mock verification in Lagos, Mr. Olakunle Aremu, hailed the introduction of card readers.

    He said: “Initially, I was skeptical about the performance of the machines. But, with what I have seen, I am convinced it will work. It took 20 seconds while in some other it took only five seconds to accredit a voter. If the machine can accredit up to three voters in a minute, it will hasten up the accreditation process on the day of election.

    “Beside the time reduction in accreditation, the card reader will not allow multiple voting or the use of fake card on the day of election. That will give us a credible poll. Whoever loses will accept his failure in good fate.”

    Former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh, also joined the ranks of Nigerians who commended INEC for the success of the mock test of the card reader ahead of the general elections. Momoh said anything that would help to grow the democratic process must be embraced, noting that the success of the card readers test across the country should be applauded.

    He said: “If card readers will help to enhance the democratic process, we should accept it. If that will make us to avoid multiple registrations, we should give the benefit of doubt.

    “I am very happy about the result of the tested card readers across the country. It will make the election transparent. The card readers will identify the authentic owner of the PVCs. So, I am very happy about the news emanating across the country.”

    He said skeptics should embrace the card readers in the spirit of free and fair elections.

     

    There is room for improvement

    “At least, the card readers have been tested; wherever any problem comes up, the INEC has put in place means to resolving it. INEC has made provision for the card readers; it should be allowed to work rather than condemning its use. It should be used rather than throwing away the baby with the bath water. Those who say we should use card readers have valued the reason for it.”

    Also defending the use of the device, Lagos lawyer Festus Keyamo said the SCRs wil prevent rigging and polls’ manipulation. He urged those opposes to it to retrace their steps and work harder to secure the votes of the electorate in through the right channel instead of nursing dubious ambition of rigging the elections.

    He said: “The fear of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their allied is hinged on the old ways; they want to go back to their old ways of writing and falsifying results. That is why they are afraid of the use of card readers.

    His words: “Nigerians will not take that this time around. If anything is done to postpone or truncate the election, we are going to have a mass protest across the country and nobody will stop us.

    “Also the plan to remove Prof. Attahiru Jega should be buried.  If they do that, there will be a mass protest. Nobody should blackmail us that we protest as a result of injustice. You cannot beat a child and not expect the child to cry.

    “If they do that, I am ready to go to jail, just like we went to jail during the Gen Sani Abacha time. INEC must not cave in to PDP pressure; INEC must maintain its sanctity and independence. Whichever way the results go, Nigerians should be ready to accept it. The ruling party must be ready to accept defeat; the opposition must also be ready to accept defeat.”

    Erstwhile Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, said Nigerians will not take excuses, noting that INEC must conduct the March 28 election.

    He said: “If the card readers are not working, INEC can do without it. This election must not be postponed again. Any talk about card readers should not be used to postpone these elections. There are speculations that the rescheduled days might be tampered with again but we are saying that we are not ready for any excuse for the postponement of the election.

    “There is no reason for INEC not to be ready for the elections. Three weeks is enough time for INEC to address whatever problem that is being noticed. So, INEC must conduct the elections,” he said.

  • ‘INEC distributes 1.7 million PVCs in Bauchi’

    ‘INEC distributes 1.7 million PVCs in Bauchi’

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it had distributed more than 1.7 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Bauchi State, representing 97 per cent of the over 1.8 million received from Abuja.

    This was made known by the commission’s spokesman, Malam Aliyu Abubakar, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Bauchi yesterday.

    He said the bulk of the cards that were yet to be collected, were mostly owned by people who had either died or relocated to other states.

    Abubakar said few of the cards probably belonged to those who were waiting to collect at the last minute.

    A NAN correspondent, who visited the PVC collection centre to monitor last minute rush by registered voters, reports that only few people were at the centre to collect their cards.

  • INEC’s card readers test-run largely successful nationwide

    INEC’s card readers test-run largely successful nationwide

    •Cloned PVC detected in Rivers
    •PDP kicks over exercise

    The test-run of card readers’ machines by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 12 states was largely successful with pockets of hitches in some areas.

    Many of the machines deployed by the commission performed excellently though the thumb prints of some voters were rejected.

    Turnouts varied from state to state with voters in the north more enthusiastic.

    The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), however, protested what it described as “series of complaints from Nigerians”.

    Its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement yesterday, said: “Our response to the emerging problems and challenges from Saturday’s testing of the card reader is ‘RES IPSA LOQUITOR’- the fact speaks for itself.

    “The PDP and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians await INEC’s official response and or its final decision after such defining challenges.”

    58 percent voters authentic in Niger

    In Niger, 58 percent with Permanent Voters’ Card (PVCs) have been cleared as authentic in Niger State.

    The card readers’ machine rejected the remaining 42 percent voters.

    The National Commissioner for the electoral body, Dr. Chris Iyimoga, disclosed these in Gwada ward of Shiroro Local Government area.

    He said the figures were from the 18 polling units in the ward, which initially had a total of 10,243 persons with PVCs and Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs).

    Only 1,799 eligible voters, he added, turned up for the exercise out of which 1,045 were authenticated by the card readers.

    Some voters however complained about the delays encountered with the device during the test-run.

    They expressed fear that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may not meet up with the time allocated for accreditation of voters during elections.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC)ý in the state commended the electoral body for exercise, stating that the device may be free from abuse.

    Its Public Secretary, Jonathan Vatsa, who observed the exercise, said INEC did a fantastic job, adding that it would knock out the issue of multiple voting.

    “APC is in support of the card readers. This shows that we are moving away from the old age to the new age and that we are moving forward as a nation.”

    Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Umar Ma’ali, also praised INEC.

    He stated his party was satisfied with the device but skeptical with the time frame for accreditation.

    “It takes more time to accredit one voter. The time allocated will not meet up with the accreditation of the voters.

    “PDP is satisfied with the card readers. We only have questions on the time frame. The time allocated is five hours and it takes one minute to accredit a voter.

    “If there are 1,000 voters in a polling unit, it means it would take up to 14 hours to accredit them. Something needs to be done about this.”

    Device records hitches in Ebonyi 

    There were hiccups with the card readers’ machines deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for test-run in Ebonyi.

    Most eligible voters complained the machines did not capture their thumb prints.

    They also said the process took longer than expected.

    Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Emma Abbah, attributed the hiccups to the machines or the servers.

    He disclosed that in a place his team visited, only two out of 22 voters were authenticated.

    ‘’I hope the technical team of INEC is noting the problems to be able to correct the lapses before the main elections,’’ he said.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Lawrence Azubuike, said the authentication did not go well as expected by the commission.

    ‘’The authentication has been very poor in most of the units. At the end of the day, we are going to get detailed reports from the officers who already have what we called the Incident Reports Forms in which they will fill out the specific issues encountered in the field,’’ he said. 

    Impressive turnout in Kano

    Stakeholders and observers have hailed yesterday’s mock elections in Kano as hugely successful.

    The exercise conducted at Danmaliki ward in Kumbosto local government area also recorded high turnout.

    However, our correspondent observed that out of 60 accredited persons at the 006 polling unit, 39 cases failed.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Minkaila Abdullahi, stated that the agency has made contingency arrangement to tackle the hitches.

    According to him: “The only challenge we are facing is the minor problem of the machine capturing some of the finger prints and the cause could be attributed to the texture of individual skin, so the machine is reliable for the elections.”

    “The Commission is mindful of the fact that there is need for assessment and that is why the accreditation is now made to take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The outcome of this exercise will determine the acceptability of the card reader machine for the election.”

    The chairman of Kumbotso Local Government Area, Alhaji Lawal Ismaila, expressed satisfaction with the exercise.

    An observer with Nigeria United for Democracy (NUD), Adamu Adams, stated: “INEC should enlighten the people the more and provide water or spirit so that if people could wash their hands, the process will be easier and faster.

    “So, to me, I can put the level of success of this mock election at 60 per cent.”

    Card readers have come to stay, says REC

    Bauchi’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Hamman   Saad, yesterday dismissed campaigns by some groups and politicians for rejection of card readers for the forthcoming general elections.

    He maintained “nothing would further strengthen and deepen democracy in Nigeria better than the use of the card readers.”

    Saad spoke while demonstrating functions of the readers in his office in Bauchi, the state capital.

    He stressed that “the era of electoral malpractice is over.”

    The REC explained “the Commission has taken adequate and necessary measures to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

    “I want our people to know that the era of election malpractices and rigging by politicians is gone for good.”

    Prof. Sa’ad, who conducted the 2011 general elections in Borno State, disclosed that INEC in Bauchi State has received 5,385 card readers and 4,749 ballot boxes.

    He explained the decision to use card readers was to eliminate electoral malpractices during elections.

    Answering questions on how the device works, Saad stated: “Once the card reader captures the fingerprint of a voter, it records the number and sends it to the central data bank at the INEC National Headquarters, ICT unit Abuja and Bauchi.”

    He warned miscreants to keep away from the polling units as law enforcement agents are permitted to deal with those out to cause trouble or confusion during voting.

    Machines faulty in Anambra

    It took between 10 seconds and 20 minutes for voters who participated in the mock election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to get accredited yesterday in Anambra.

    The card readers rejected the thumb prints of many of the voters.

    Also, few eligible voters turned up for the exercise.

    Voters with confirmed Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) had their finger prints rejected with the machines indicating ‘verification failed’ when subjected to use.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Edwin Offor Nwatarali, insisted the readers were in good shape and would work smoothly.

    He explained many of the rejected finger prints were attributable to greasy or dirty fingers.

    Nwatarali said: “We however overcame that by making the voters to wash their hands and cleaning them properly before coming to thumbprint.

    “We believe that on the whole, the card will help us to have a good election.”

    Senator Chris Uba(Anambra South) confirmed the cards worked perfectly, saying they will help to achieve credible polls.

    Uba representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone, also said that the cards were working perfectly and would help to conduct a very credible election.

    Successful verification in Delta

    The mock verification exercise in Delta State was largely successful despite minor glitches and poor turnout.

    The card readers performed without major hitches at Niger Mixed Secondary School and Asagba Primary Schools in Asaba, the state capital.

    Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, assured the minor hitches recorded would be accommodated by options such as filling incident form and time compensation.

    Delta State Independent Election Commission (DSIEC boss), Moses Ogbe, urged Nigerians to give the card readers a chance.

    He stated that the error margins of the readers were negligible.

    According to him, the electoral body may provide basic facilities at polling units to accommodate those whose fingerprints were dirty and could not be verified by the card readers.

    Cloned PVC fails in Rivers

    A suspected cloned Permanent Voters Card (PVC) failed verification yesterday in Port-Harcourt during the mock election.

    It was discovered the PVC was not issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the card readers’ machine failed to recognise the bearer.

    The test-run was conducted in all the 23 units of Ward 1 (Oromineke and Ezimgbu) and the 19 voting points in the area.

    188 officials of INEC carried out the exercise.

    Rivers Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dame Gecila Khan, who monitored the test-run, said the exercise conducted was successful.

    She said the essence of the card readers’ machine was to spot out irregularities.

    At Mopol 19, Old GRA area of Port Harcourt, the turnout was impressive.

    Electoral officials filled out incident forms on their behalf with the promise to rectify the issue before the election dates.

    Parties, observers, voters hail exercise

    International observers, non-governmental organisations, faith-based organisations, eligible voters and political parties have okayed the use of card readers in Ekiti State.

    This was after the test-run of the card readers’ machines at Dallimore Ward 009, which has 21,631 registered voters out of which 14,461 had collected their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) across 46 polling units.

    Although the turnout was not impressive, the practical demonstration of the device assured voters the machines were neither time-wasting nor designed to disenfranchise them.

    At about 11.30 am when our reporter visited polling unit 002 at the ward, no fewer than 60 voters had been accredited with the use of the readers.

    The technical officers, who manned the unit, stated that the average time for accreditation ranged from four to six seconds.

    At Ajitadidun/Olora’s compound polling unit 006, it was discovered that the average range of time of accreditation ranged between five and thirteen seconds.

    Eligible voters who participated in the exercise commended INEC for the innovation, which they believed would make the forthcoming polls more credible.

    A voter, who was verified at Dallimore Polling Unit 002, Mrs. Taiwo Ojo, said: “I spent less than five seconds to get accredited. I am happy about one thing, if I had brought a fake voter card, the machine would have detected it and anything that could detect fraud is good for election. So, I support the use of these machines”.

    Political parties in Ekiti State under the auspices of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) also threw their weight behind the device.

    The state CNPP Chairman, Tunji Ogunlola, who led party leaders to monitor the exercise, described it as very transparent and reliable.

    Parties, who okayed the readers include All Progressives Congress (APC); African Democratic Congress (ADC); KOWA; National Conscience Party (NCP); Alliance for Democracy (AD); All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Citizens Popular Party (CPP); Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).

    An election observer from the European Union (EU), Mrs. Rumi Anna Dacheva, said she was impressed by the workability of the card readers.

    Machines fail in Taraba

    The card readers failed to identify thumb prints in at least seven polling units yesterday in Taraba.

    The exercise, which began by 800am, was conducted in the polling units of Mutum Biu ward in Gasol local government area of Taraba state.

    The exercise witnessed a large out of voters.

    The polling officer at Kofan Serki Lawan Maigeri and his counterpart at Alhasan polling unit told reporters that the failure of the machines was a major setback for the forthcoming general elections.

    INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba states, Dr. Nuru Yakubu, said the commission was happy with the exercise despite the hitches.

    Yakubu, who was accompanied by INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners of Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba, described the exercise as “a huge success for the commission” since two out of the three aims of the card reader were achieved.

  • INEC card reader test hitch free in Lagos

    The pre-election test of the use of the card reader was hitch free in Lagos on Saturday.
    The process kicked off at 8am in 50 polling units across Onigbongbo in Ikeja.
    Four INEC officials attended to the voters who came to verify their PVCs and test a process that has been faulted by some political parties.
    To the relief of the ‘voters’ and the audience at each venues, the machine proved effective, authenticating the PVCs within a minute.
    A mild drama also ensued during the exercise as some people turned out at the various polling units to press for their PVCs and get clarification on how to get their cards.
    The Independent National Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Akin Orebiyi, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise.
    According to him, “The intention of today’s exercise is primarily to test the efficiency of the Smart Card Readers. That is why we are here. And we have achieved good results. This shows that the card readers are efficient.
    ” So, politicians who have doubts about the device can now see that the device will contribute in making the elections credible.’’

  • Large turn out for card reader test in Ekiti, Kano

    Large turn out for card reader test in Ekiti, Kano

    The field test of the card reader machines by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday recorded large turnout of eligible voters in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that eligible voters turned out en masse to participate in the exercise.

    Some of the polling units that witnessed large turnout of voters included Batakaye, Bubbugaje, Sheka Makaranta and Sheka Maidille, among others.

    NAN reports that in most of the polling units visited, men out numbered women.
    Some of the voters who spoke to NAN expressed happiness with the arrangements put on ground for the exercise.

    Malam Salisu Ali told NAN that the field test had proved wrong some Nigerians who were pessimistic about the conduct of the forthcoming general elections.

    ‘’With this field test, one is confident that INEC is serious about the elections,’’ he said.

    Another voter, who simply gave his name as Usman, called on INEC to address the challenges encountered during the field test before the election proper.

    NAN correspondents who monitored the exercise in Ekiti report that it takes a voter less than a minute to be verified.

    The field test of the effectiveness of the card reader machine was also hitch-free.

    Amb. Thomas Oloruntobi, Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, who also monitored the exercise, said the effectiveness of the machine had put all speculations to rest.

    “Now that the machine has been tested, this will put to rest the mind of those who are doubting the effectiveness of the card reader.

    “As you can see the field demonstration of the exercise has actually proven that the machine can perform creditably without any hitch.’’

    A voter at Unit 002, Ward 9, Dalimmore Area of Ado-Ekiti, Mr Oluwafemi Adebobola, after the authentication of his PVC, said the process was fast.

    “ I spent less than one minute to have my permanent voter card verified,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that the exercise took place in 12 states that cut across the six geo-political zones.

  • New party seeks another poll shift

    Following Wednesday’s Federal High Court’s judgment, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to include the Young Democratic Party (YDP) on the election ballot papers, the party has called on the commission to accommodate it or re-schedule the general election.

    Stating its position in Abuja after an emergency meeting on Thursday, the party said the court had ordered INEC to issue it a certificate and include YDP among the parties contesting the elections.

    The National Publicity Secretary of YDP, Barr. Ugo Nwofor, said INEC has no option than to reprint its ballot papers to accommodate its candidates for the various elective positions.

    Nwafor said: “If INEC does not have the appropriation for logistics for re-printing of its ballot papers, then INEC ought to within the constitutional provision further re-schedule the general election so as to accommodate our party.

    “In either of the two options, our party is ready, it has been a long journey for YDP. We wish INEC would explore the first option.”

    He stated further that in compliance with Sections 85 and 87 of the Electoral Act, the party has fixed it governorship/House of Assembly and Presidential and National Assembly primaries for March 26 and 27 respectively.

    According to him, the party has approved sales of nomination forms as follows – Presidential (N15million), governorship (N3million), Senate (N1million), House of Representatives (N500,000) and House of Assembly (200,000).

    “As a gender friendly party, the nomination forms for women in all categories is free, except for a processing fee of N100,000,” Nwafor stated.

    He described the court’s judgment as victory for democracy, rule of law and triumph over impunity.

  • INEC to test-run card readers in Ekiti

    INEC to test-run card readers in Ekiti

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti State has concluded arrangements to test-run the smart card reader on Saturday.

    Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Sam Olumekun said the test-run would convince the electorate that the device was suitable for the polls.

    Olumekun said the exercise would also  identify challenges that could be encountered and the need to solve them ahead of the elections.

    The electoral chief said Ekiti was one of the 12 states selected to conduct the field test.

    According to him, Dallimore Ward 09 in Ado-Ekiti, with 21,631 registered voters, was selected for the exercise.

    He said 14,461 had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    “Let me emphasise that no voting will take place at all. Adequate security will be provided and the mock accreditation of March 7 does not interfere with the real election day activities of March 28 and April 11.

    “Ekiti State is lucky to be one of the 12 states where this project is being test-run just as it is on record that Ekiti State was the first place where the Permanent Voter Card was used to conduct election in Nigeria last June.”

  • Court refuses to stop INEC from using Card Reader

    Court refuses to stop INEC from using Card Reader

    Some opponents of Card Reader Machines (CRM) yesterday lost their legal battle to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from deploying the equipment for the general elections.

    Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja  in a ruling yesterday, declined to grant a prayer by four political parties – United Democratic Party (UDP), Action Alliance (AA), Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) and Alliance for Democracy (AD) – for, among others,  an interim order restraining INEC from proceeding with plans to use the CRM.

    The judge noted that although the parties had made out a case for the granting of their prayers, sought ex-parte (without the knowledge of the other party), the balance of convenience, was not in their favour.

    “There is no loss that the plaintiffs will suffer if the defendant (INEC) is given the opportunity to respond to the issues raised. This court feels that it is fair that the defendant be given the opportunity to be heard,” the judge held.

    He, however, granted the plaintiffs’ prayers for abridgment of time for the defendant to respond and an order for accelerated hearing in the case.  He ordered INEC to within four days of the service of plaintiffs’ processes on it, respond and serve it responses on the plaintiffs. He adjourned till March 10 for hearing.

    The parties had, in the motion ex-parte, argued yesterday by Alex Iziyon (SAN), leading two other SANs, sought an order

    •of interim injunction restraining the defendant, its agents, servants, privies or assigns, by whatever name, from implementing or commencing or further implementing or further commencing or directing or further directing the use and preparation of the Card Reader Machine or any name of like nature, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    •abridging time within which the defendant may file and deliver all responses to the plaintiffs’ originating summons and motion on notice to four days from the date of service of plaintiffs’ processes; and

    •an order granting accelerated hearing of the matter.

    Iziyon argued that INEC’s decision to deploy card readers for the election was a violation of the provision of Section 52(1)(2), which prohibits the use of any  electronic method of voting in the country. He contended that  the deployment of card reader  for voters’ verification could pass as electronic voting.

    The parties are among the 16 that supported the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in objecting to the conduct of the elections as earlier scheduled – on February 14 and 28. They have adopted President Jonathan (the presidential candidate of the PDP) as their candidate.

    The parties argued that the use of Card Reader Machine for the forthcoming election is not in conformity with the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and that their members who have been enlightened on the accreditation procedure as contained in the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) would be disenfranchised as they were not educated on the use of Card Reader.