The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) boss, Professor Attahiru Jega, has revealed that the distribution of sensitive materials for the elections will begin today, March 25.
Jega who was speaking to Gbenga Aruleba, anchor of ‘Focus Nigeria’, a political magazine programme on Africa Independent Television earlier today also revealed that over 82% of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) have been collected by eligible voters.
Speaking extensively on the PVC and card readers, Jega said, “most of the cards taken in the last three weeks are remnants of the CVR and those who requested for transfer.
He continued, “Even if people steal PVCs they cannot use them for the 2015 elections with the use of the card readers. All PVCs stolen from our office that were reported early enough have been recovered and redistributed.
“We are using a card reader that would read only PVCs, the card reader will help us ensure that no cloned card will be used for this election”.
READ ALSO: IGP Unveils Security Priority List For Elections Asked to clarify the controversies surrounding the card readers against the background that some political parties have been protesting against the use of the machine, Jega said the decision to use the card readers for the election was agreed by all political parties way back in November 2014.
He said, “The card reader does 4 things, it passed 100% in 3 and 60% in 1. So what’s the justification of saying we shouldn’t use card readers?” he asked rhetorically.
He went on, “The voter does not handle the card reader and it doesn’t require literacy to obey simple instructions. People need to distinguish between literacy and intelligence”.
Jega also gave insights as to how the voting process will go on at polling booths across the country. He said, “The commission decided to use 3 ballot boxes since we’ve 3 elections this weekend, as well as using 3 ballot papers. The polling clerk issuing the ballot papers tells voters where to put the ballot papers.”
Jega had earlier admitted in a different forum that the postponement of the elections from the earlier dates of February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11 gave the INEC more time “to perfect the electoral process for the delivery of free, fair and credible elections”.
He also recently advised National Youth Service Corp members billed to participate in the conduct of the general elections to shun all forms of temptation.
Meanwhile, the secretary to the Delta state government, Ovuozorie Macaulay, has criticised the scheduled use of electronic card readers by the INEC in the forthcoming polls saying the card readers have never been tested, used and proven successful anywhere.
READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/408833-82-of-eligible-voters-have-collected-their-pvcs-jega.html
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