The rash of opposition toward the proposed use of card reading machines in the forthcoming general election has been described by many political observers as both strange and shocking.
The latest in the campaign against the card readers came from 15 political parties and five presidential candidates participating in the elections, who threatened to boycott the polls if INEC did not jettison the plan.
But the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) insists that there’s no going back, that only card readers will be used for accreditation of voters for the elections. The electoral umpire has also defended the effectiveness and reliability of electronic card readers, saying that it will not revert to manual accreditation of voters during the elections.
To convince some “doubting Thomases”, the Commission had yesterday organised demonstration exercises at some polling units in designated 12 states in all the geopolitical zones of the country, where the card readers were test-run before the public.
Attahiru Jega, the Commission’s chairman, had also assured that if any card reader developed a problem in the process of using it, it would be replaced.
Despite the assurances, the issue has continued to be as controversial as the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). For instance, the two major political parties in the country, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), have continued to engage in slanging matches over the card readers.
While the PDP insists it does not trust the device, APC is alleging that there was an ongoing efforts to compromise the card reader, “which the Jonathan administration sees as inimical to its rigging.”
Last week, 15 political parties and five presidential candidates participating in the forth-coming elections, raised a concern over the card readers.
The parties said the use of the electronic devices would not only be against the 1999 Constitution but also the 2010 Electoral Act (As amended) which proscribed electronic voting in the country.
They, therefore, threatened not to participate in the elections if the INEC insists on using card readers, saying they “observed some obvious but dangerous developments in the proposed use of card readers” by the commission for the conduct of the elections.
Why INEC insists on card readers
It would be recalled that while at the Senate recently to brief the lawmakers on the Commission’s level of preparedness, Jega had pointedly told the senators that the commission would not use Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) for election under any condition as being canvassed in some quarters.
He stated that the use of the card reader would not contravene any section of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended.
“The use of PVCs and the card reader for the conduct of the elections, we believe, is in accord with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended. They were introduced also, pursuant to the powers granted to the commission by the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” Jega said.
“INEC is empowered by Section 16(4) of the Electoral Act, 2010 to and I quote: ‘wherever it considers it necessary, replace any voter card for the time being’.
“The use of the card reader for the purpose of accreditation of voters is one of the innovations introduced by the commission to improve the credibility of the electoral process. It is not offensive to the Electoral Act or to the Constitution. It adds value to the desires of Nigerians to have a credible election in line with international best practice,” he added.
Nigerians shocked over parties’ reaction
Some Nigerians who spoke with BD SUNDAY have expressed shock at the stand of some parties on the proposed card readers. They expressed optimism that the use of card readers will enhance the credibility of the elections, reduce the likelihood of rigging and other electoral malpractices and prevent violence.Ebenezer Oyetakin, former chairman of the now rested National Advance Party, told BD Sunday that every patriotic Nigerian must support the use of card readers as this will minimise election rigging.
According to Oyetakin, who described himself as an independent, patriotic Nigerian, card readers have been used in India, Ghana and other parts of the world, wondering why the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is waging a war against cards that will enhance the process.
“It is the APC that should have been opposing it. But do you wonder why it is the PDP that is now opposing it?” Oyetakin asked.
“The truth is that Jega cannot produce any card reader without first getting the approval of the National Executive Council (NEC). He got approval and it was budgeted and paid for. So tell me, why is it that NEC, which has no APC member, is the same group that is opposing card readers?” he asked.
Juventus Ojukwu, Second Republic member of the House of Representatives, told our correspondent that he does not see why anybody should oppose any process that will not only guarantee free and fair election but guarantee the safety of the country.
“Those who are opposing the use of card readers do not want free and fair elections,” Ojukwu alleged.
Frank Umeh, leader of the Nigeria Voters Forum (NVF) wondered why it is only in government-related activities that technology seems ineffective.
“Why is technology working in Shoprite but not in government? When you talk of technology, they get afraid because they are corrupt and want to circumvent the system,” Umeh said.
Bolaji Ogunseye, gubernatorial candidate of Alliance for Democracy in Lagos State, said he believed that INEC has good intentions for introducing card readers, but that the hullabaloo lies with politicians.
According to Ogunseye, who is pioneer chief executive officer of Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), the fact that INEC has said if the card reader is malfunctioning, elections can be rescheduled there is enough to allay all fears.
“It is a shame that the two major political parties are playing politics with these card readers. The media has paid attention to the two parties, especially when they know that they both are the same and have no distinction. They have always talked about building roads rather than building people,” the former staff member of the African Development Bank (ADB), the United Nations Organisation (UNO) and Shell Nigeria said.
Japheth Ebegbare, a legal practitioner, expressing his view said: “I see this as an innovation that should be expressed. Those advocating it should not be used must explain to Nigerians and indeed the world what their real fear is, otherwise, I harbour no ills against the use of the card. If anything, this will help as a nation to eliminate election fraud,” Ebegbare said.
Yinka Odumakin, secretary, Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political group, believed the electronic device could reduce incidence of fraud and election rigging if properly deployed.
NLC urges caution
Peter Ozo-Eson, the general secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), declared the congress’ position supporting the use of the card reader, but with a proviso that INEC ensures it works without fail.
“To the extent the card reader will eliminate possible fraud in the voting process, we are in support of its usage. But we advocate that INEC must make adequate preparation and test-run the card to ensure that it does not disappoint,” he said.
