He said the commission did not expect the card readers to malfunction as “the window of the smart card reader is wider and can read fingerprints better now.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed confidence in the performance of the Smart Card Readers to be used in the forthcoming elections.
Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said this on Sunday, in an interview with NAN in Abuja.
Okoye assured Nigerians that the card readers will work to maximum performance in the forthcoming elections.
He said the commission did not expect the card readers to malfunction as “the window of the smart card reader is wider and can read fingerprints better now.”
He added: "The batteries of the enhanced card readers can last longer now. The window of the smart card reader is wider and can read fingerprints better now.
“We have upgraded the smart card readers and the ones to be used for the election are smart card readers that can perform very well. So, we do not envisage the issue of malfunction. It will be reduced to the barest minimum.
“The issue of card readers unable to read peoples biometrics will be reduced to the barest minimum."
The national commissioner said the commission had got more quantities of card readers so as to reduce the faulty readers and it has been “distributed to all the states”.
“What we did was to make up for shortfalls. Additional cards readers that we wanted have already arrived in the country and have been distributed to all the states. So, we don’t have challenges regarding the quality of smart card readers that would be used for these elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has also ordered comprehensive security for INEC offices and facilities nationwide.
Consequently, Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been directed to put in place adequate security arrangements to protect INEC offices and materials during and after the elections.
According to Frank Mba, Zonal Force spokesman, the Assistant Inspector Generals (AIGs) have also been mandated to monitor compliance level of commands under their jurisdiction with this directive, and ensure that no breach of security of any kind occurs within and around INEC facilities under their watch.
The IG assured Nigerians of the readiness of the Police to deliver on its mandate of providing a safe and enabling environment for the conduct of the general election.