The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has said the Commission would not transmit electronically the results of the general elections, explaining that the introduction of card readers would help checkmate irregularities in elections.
Unveiling the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room in Abuja, Jega said that despite the fact that the Commission had tested the system during some previous state elections, it decided that it could not afford another spate of criticisms, especially the criticisms that trailed the card reader and the Permanent Voters Card (PVCs), which are being used for the polls.
Recalling the experience of Kenya in the transmission of election results, Jega said the usual collation process would be used and that the PVCs and the card reader would eliminate frauds along the electoral process. Speaking on the preparedness of INEC for the polls, Jega said:
“We have done everything possible for the smooth conduct of the elections.” “The use of the card reader will help us address some of the concerns about alteration of accreditation figures in other to fraudulently advantage a candidate and disadvantage other candidates. The information which will be saved on the card reader and which will be transmitted to our data base will be useful in terms of addressing irregularities when they emerge relating to alteration of accreditation figures,” he further stated.
In his address, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Force Public Relations, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the police would be deploying well trained and motivated personnel to ensure security to INEC officials and materials across the country during the polls. Ojukwu, who represented the Inspector-General of Police at the event, assured both local and international observers as well as all Nigerians of adequate security during the polls.
Clement Nwankwo, executive director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), who spoke on behalf of the CSOs, urged Nigerians to go out en masse to exercise their franchise and defend their votes, and to do so peacefully. “It is important for all Nigerians to recognise that beyond the partisan divisions and the outcomes of the electoral contests, the future of Nigeria is the main issue at stake,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Situation Room (CSOs have urged the military and other security and law enforcement agencies to refrain from any action, direct or indirect, that could impinge on the rights of voters, observers and the media during the polls.
