There were problems of voter accreditation via the smart card reader during the February 23 presidential and national assembly elections in many polling units across the country, meaning some voters were indeed manually accredited. However, the commission confirmed on Tuesday that this does not in any way suggest it won't use the device on Saturday.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged members of the public to dismiss insinuations that it will jettison the use of card readers for Saturday's governorship and state houses of assembly elections.
There were problems of voter accreditation via the smart card reader during the February 23 presidential and national assembly elections in many polling units across the country, meaning some voters were indeed manually accredited.
However, Festus Okoye Esq, INEC's National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, confirmed on Tuesday that this does not in any way suggest the commission won't use the device on Saturday.
"Since the conduct of the February 23, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections, there have been allegations from certain quarters that the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was selective in its use of Smart Card Readers (SCRs) in its conduct of the elections. These allegations have led to speculations that INEC may be forced to jettison their use in the March 9, 2019 Governorship, State Houses of Assembly and Federal Capital Area Council elections," read a statement released to SaharaReporters by Okoye.
"INEC hereby states categorically that the allegations are absolutely false and the speculations are without any basis whatsoever. The use of the Smart Card Readers is not only mandatory but its deliberate non-use attracts the sanction of possible persecution of erring officials in accordance with the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of election. This is in addition to the voiding of any result emanating from such units or areas, as was done in the Presidential and National Assembly elections of February 23, 2019.
"The general public and all officials engaged for the elections are hereby informed that the Commission is not reconsidering the use of these Smart Card Readers, which has greatly improved the credibility of our elections and instilled a high level of public trust in them.
"To clear any doubt or ambiguity, we wish to state that the deployment and mandatory use Smart Card Readers in next Saturday's election will not only be uniform but also universal, and the provisions of the Regulations and Guidelines will be strictly and vigorously enforced. All Stakeholders are to note and be guided accordingly please."