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Tag: PVC

  • PVC may be vulnerable to hacking, CSEAN warns

    PVC may be vulnerable to hacking, CSEAN warns

    National President, Cyber Security Association of Nigeria (CSEAN), Mr. Remi Afon has said the Permanent Voters Card of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may be vulnerable to hacking.

    Remi said except the commission improves on its cyber security measures, the CR could be hacked by cyber criminals for the benefit of selfish politicians.

    The CSEAN President disclosed this in Abuja at the eNigeria 2015 conference organised by Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

    In the topic titled, ‘Contending The Next Cyber Security Threat in Nigeria, Hack The Vote’, Afon explained týhat the Android Operating System 4.2.2 currently adopted by INEC was prone to alteration, stressing that a blank card could be used to copy information on an already existing PVC.

    “As politicians and political parties have their eyes and ambitions on general election come 2019, what many do not know is that come election day, hackers could be the ones whose votes have the biggest impact.

    “Android 4.2.2 is known to have multiple vulnerability. Android master key vulnerability is a critical condition that affects an estimated 99 per cent of the android devices in operation. It could allow attackers to use exploit code to easily infect devices with a malware,” Afon said.ý

    ýIn what he described as cryptography, the CSEAN stated that the card reader reads embedded chip on the PVC, shares secret code with the PVC but such “crypto portion can be found and reconstructed.”

    Afon said during the PVC authentication process by the Card Reader, security researchers found that there is a way to perform man-in-the-middle attacks on chip cards by compromising the ýsub process, which determines the authentication required by the CR.

     

  • Imo: REC under fire over fresh PVC distribution

    Imo: REC under fire over fresh PVC distribution

    There was renewed call Thursday for the immediate redeployment of the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr. Gabriel Ada by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other stakeholders in the state before the governorship rerun election scheduled for April 25.

    The REC has also come under fire for insisting that registered voters who have not collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) in the areas where the governorship rerun election will hold in the state, despite the expiration of the deadline for the collection of PVC  nationwide.

    Ada had during a press briefing with journalists, refused to disclose the number of PVC distributed in the 200 Polling Units where the rescheduled election will hold, as well as the number of registered voters in the area.

    Reacting to the REC’s alleged partisan role, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Rochas Campaign Organization, called for his immediate redeployment ahead of the rerun election to ensure a free and fair polls.

    The Director General of the Campaign Organization, Barr Ihekwumere Alaribe, said that “we were shocked to learn that the REC had announced that the collection of PVC is still ongoing in the state, even after the expiration of the exercise nationwide. This will amount to shifting the goal post in the middle of the game.”

    According to him, “we have applied for the number of registered voters and the list of the distribution of PVC in the affected areas but the REC had refused to disclose the documents because of his partisan stand”.

    Justifying the call for Ada’s immediate redeployment, Alaribe, alleged that he was selective in the cancellation of the results of the governorship election in the favour of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), adding that the APC and the entire people of the state do no longer have confidence in him to supervise the rerun election.

    He said, “we have discovered that the REC inflated the number of voters in the areas where election did not hold, to justify the rerun election. He is an interested party and should not be allowed to supervise the election. As a former Speaker of the Cross River House of Assembly under the PDP we doubt his integrity and neutrality in this matter.

    “We are calling on the Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega to immediately recall Ada from Imo State before the scheduled rerun to ensure a free and fair election. Because if not for his partisan role, we won’t be talking about rerun in an election we clearly won. We have discovered that he is a card carrying member of the PDP and must to not be allowed to preside over the election”.

    Also knocking the REC for his controversial positions, an APC Chieftain, Chief Romanus Egbuladike, blamed him for the massive rigging and other irregularities that marred the governorship election.

    Egbuladike, who is from Oru East Local Government Area, which has the highest number of areas where the rerun election will hold, said that elections were held in the six wards where INEC cancelled to pave way for a supplementary election.

    In his words, “we were shocked that INEC said that election did not hold in six wards in Oru East because we have the results from the booth. I think what happened was because did people did not allow INEC to execute their plan of rigging the election in Oru East in favour of the PDP so they decided to cancel six wards to declare the election inconclusive but whatever they are planning will be resisted.”

  • Group raises alarm over plot to dump PVC in Plateau

    Group raises alarm over plot to dump PVC in Plateau

    The Plateau State government has directed voters who have no Permanent Voter Cards to use their Temporary Voter Cards on Saturday, it was alleged yesterday.

    “We want to tell our people categorically to disregard the statement regarding the conduct of the next elections,” the Redemption Integration Group said at a news conference addressed by Hon. Nankin Bagudu.

    It described the directive that people can use temporary voter cards as mischievous, done in bad faith and “a calculated attempt to rubbish our people and cause chaos in the state.”

    “The recent statement ascribed to the leadership of the state is suggestive of a serious deliberate intention on the part of the government to scuttle the conduct of the next elections or create crisis within the state.

    “This we regard as unfortunate, irresponsible and unbecoming of a matured leadership. We are therefore calling on the people to stand firm and be watchful as there is deliberate effort to create crisis in the state,” the group said.

    The group said it also learnt of another plot for thugs be used in All Progressives Congress (APC) strongholds to cause chaos and disrupt the elections by snatching ballot boxes.

    “We are equally disturbed by the conduct of the INEC commissioner in the state. There has been series of allegations of compromise and deliberate collaborations between him and the PDP government in the state.

    “It will appear that these allegations are true since the INEC commissioner failed to react to the comments on the use of the Temporary Voters Card.

    “We expect that such a sensitive issue will definitely engage the attention of the INEC commissioner to the extent that it will require his immediate reaction and clarification to the people of the state with regards to what the INEC guideline provides with respect to the issue.

    “His tacit silence can be seen as support to the attempt to cause chaos. We hereby express our lack of confidence in the neutrality of the INEC commissioner,” the group said.

  • 703,492 voters yet to collect PVC in Oyo- INEC

    703,492 voters yet to collect PVC in Oyo- INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that 703,492 Permanent Voters Card (PVC) are yet to be collected in Oyo State.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Rufus Akeju disclosed this shortly after a crucial meeting of Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on ‎Election Security (ICCES), held at the agency’s conference room, Ibadan.

    “We have collected 2,381,102 permanent voters’ cards, out of which we have giving to the rightful owners 1,677,610. ‎We still have at hand 703,492 PVC that are yet to be collected by eligible voters.

    “The sensitive materials will be moved to the 351 registration areas of the state on Friday, 27th March, while the poll officials too will also move into the camps in order to ensure timely arrival at the voting points on Saturday 28th March. We have 5,620 voting points and they must be adequately protected in order to assure voters of their safety while casting votes,” he said

    According to him, apart from that, only yesterday we received another 13,000 PVC’s from Abuja, and only those that were received from two weeks ago till date will be distributed.

    The Oyo REC said different types of identification to be used by all categories of ad-hoc personnel ‎will be sighted at the meeting with the security chiefs in the state in order to reduce problems arising from identification.

    According to him, we have packaged documents that will assist the security agencies in the task of mobilization and deployment of their personnel.

    Akeju promised that the agency is working round the clock to ensure the safety of the registered voters during the election.

    Also addressing journalist shortly after the meeting on behalf of other security chiefs the state, Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammad Katsina assured the members of the public that the atmosphere will be peaceful before, during and after the general elections.

    “We have deliberated here extensively and we are determined to maintain law and order. We want to inform members of the public that we will spare nobody that causes breakdown of law and order. With the morale of our men on ground we are certain that Oyo State will be a good reference point after the conduct of the election,” he said

  • INEC distributes 95.05 per cent PVCs in Kebbi

    INEC distributes 95.05 per cent PVCs in Kebbi

    Alhaji Abdullahi Zarewa, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kebbi, on Sunday said the electoral body distributed 95.05 per cent Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the state ahead of Saturday’s elections.

    Zarewa said this in Ambursa, Kebbi State, during a sensitisation programme organised by the commission for the electorate in the area.

    He said that out of 1.4 million registered voters in the state, 1.3 million had been issued with their PVCs.

    The INEC commissioner said that 13,500 ad hoc staff had been trained to participate in the elections.

    He said that on the day of voting, special concessions would be accorded to the elderly and people living with disability.

    Zarewa said that there would be separate queues for men and women on election day in line with religious and cultural values of the people.

    He urged political parties to enlighten their followers on the need to strictly adhere to the electoral laws, saying “violators will be prosecuted’’.

    According to him, INEC will also ensure a hitch-free election.

  • ‎56.4m PVCs collected so far , says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday  said 56.4million Permanent Voter Cards PVCs) have been collected as at March 20.
    The Commission may have also ruled out any extension of the collection exercise, which ended on Sunday.
    The commission’s  register has 68.833,476 million on its list for the forthcoming general elections rescheduled for March 28th and April 11th.
    According to INEC latest update made available to journalists on Sunday in Abuja, the commission stated that it’s collection rate has reached 81.98 percent.
    According to the latest updates, most states have reached between 60 % and above collection rate .
    Even Ogun state which used to record the lowest collection recorded 49.45%. Gombe and Zamfara recorded over 95%.
    On the possibility of INEC extending the collection exercise, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu said he was not sure if the exercise would be extended.
  • 100% PVC collection not possible, says Adeola

    100% PVC collection not possible, says Adeola

    Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts Hon. Solomon Adeola said at the weekend that a 100 per cent Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) collection before election is not attainable.

    Addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leaders from Lagos West Senatorial District, who visited him, the senatorial candidate said from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) statistics, Lagos State has attained 81 per cent PVC collection. He said that the collection rate will improve before the March 22 collection deadline.

    “It is not possible to have a 100 per cent PVC collection. Lagos has attained 81 per cent as at the last count. He said those complaining or petitioning of PVC collection at this point were not prepared for the election and only dreading their imminent defeat.

    Adeola urged the youth leaders to enjoin those with PVCs not to sell their cards as some political parties are bent on disenfranchising those that already have PVCs for unknown reasons.

    He called on the youths to work hard for the desired change that is adding that, since 1999, this is the first time that the opposition is ahead of the ruling party in popularity rating by reputable polling organisations.

    The leader of the Youths Mr. Lukmon Jimoh, said APC youths in the district will deliver all ward to the APC.

    Also, a group in Alimosho Local Government of Lagos West Senatorial District, the Grassroots Progressive Movement (GPM), has endorsed the senatorial ambition of Solomon Adeola to represent Lagos West in the Senate.

    Its leader, Pastor Michael Oyedepo said the group which cut across all tribes with professionals and artisans, sees in the antecedent of the legislator a representative that has the interest of the people at heart.

    “We came to register our support for you face to face as we have been preaching to people on the need to have you as the senator as the most qualified candidate. You are friendly and hardworking. You have a record of public and community service and we are sure you will not disappoint at the Senate.” Oyedepo said.

    Adeola lamented Nigeria’s economic situation saying he will always support and partner with groups and individuals that believe in people’s power in electing leaders adding that until such groups as theirs and individual began to assert and exercise their power change to better leadership is very unlikely.

  • 55.5m PVCs collected so far – INEC

    55.5m PVCs collected so far – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that 55.490 million Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs) have been collected as at March 9th.

    The commission register has 68.833,476 million on its list for the forthcoming general elections rescheduled for March 28th and April 11th for National and states elections.

    According to INEC latest update, the collection rate has reached 80.61 percent. The commission which announced an extension of the collection date still have 13.343 million PVCs for collection.

    It said it might not be possible for the commission to have hundred percent collection rate for obvious reasons.

    Most states have reached between 60 % and above collection rate apart from Ogun state which recorded 47 per cent Gombe and Zamfara recorded 95per cent.

  • PVC: Lawyers sue INEC over data loss

    PVC: Lawyers sue INEC over data loss

    Three lawyers have sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Federal High Court in Lagos over their inability to obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs).

    The plaintiffs said they were informed that their data allegedly wiped off after they were duly registered and therefore there was no PVCs for them.

    According to them, said despite the fact that INEC shifted the PVC collection date to March 8, they have no hope of collecting theirs because their data were wiped off INEC’s database.

    The lawyers – Chijioke Emeka, Kalu Uduma and Emeka Odikpo – are seeking a declaration their civil and legal rights would be breached if INEC does not issue them their PVCs or provide them an alternative means of exercising their franchise.

    They also want the court to hold that should they be excluded from the March 28 and April 11 elections due to no fault of theirs, they are entitled to legal damages.

    The plaintiffs are praying for an order directing INEC to issue them their PVCs or make other alternative arrangements to enable them vote.

    According to them, their rights will be breached as a result of INEC’s “negligence or mismanagement of its data-base or any other internal hitches” which resulted in the loss of data in the units in which they registered.

    They plaintiffs said they have been to their registration units severally only to be informed there was no PVC for them due to the data loss.Among others, they are seeking a declaration that “based on the maxim ‘ubi jus ibi remedium’, the said breach of the plaintiffs’ civil and legal rights by exclusion from voting in the scheduled elections…is a civil/legal wrong which is damnable in general damages.”

    Justice Ibrahim Buba granted the plaintiffs leave to serve the originating summons on INEC in Abuja. He also abridged to eight days the time within which the defendant may enter appearance in the suit.

    The judge further ordered accelerated hearing of the suit in view of its urgency, and directed parties to file written addresses.

    The judge adjourned till March 16 for hearing.

     

  • INEC extends collection of PVC by two weeks

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) across the country by additional two weeks.
    Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu in a statement on Sunday said the collection will continue until March 22nd 2015, superseding the earlier deadline of March 08th 2015.
    He said the 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.
    He urged 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.