Despite the 41% fingerprint verification failure recorded during the mock election conducted in 12 States to test-run the use of card readers, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has insisted on their usage in the validation of voters in the March 28 and April 11 general elections.
In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, March 10, the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kayode Idowu on behalf of its chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, INEC insisted that it was satisfied with the efficiency of the card readers to be used at the polls.
“INEC is satisfied that the use of SCRs in the 2015 general elections will add tremendous transparency and credibility to the accreditation process on Election Day.
“The Commission hereby reassures the public that it will do everything necessary to ensure that the processes of the elections are seamless, free, fair, credible and peaceful,” the statement read.
According to the statement, INEC reassurances came after it held meetings with its top officials yesterday, “to consider field reports from the public demonstration of Smart Card Readers, SCRs, conducted in 12 states on Saturday.”
The states were Rivers and Delta (South-South), Kano and Kebbi (North-West), Anambra and Ebonyi (South East), Ekiti and Lagos (South West), Bauchi and Taraba (North East) as well as Niger and Nasarawa (North Central).
In reaction, the PDP’s Governors’ forum condemned the use of card readers, stating that the use of the card readers would ultimately lead to the disenfranchisement of many eligible voters.
INEC once again appears intent on imposing on Nigeria, its own version of a free and fair election.
However, the commission’s yardstick remains skewed, as major issues raised by the electorate are not being addressed while INEC presses on with its plans to conduct the elections.
The voters, the most vital elements in an election have been sidelined again, with 41% of those who bothered to help INEC test its much criticised card reader, not being able to verify their fingerprints, and the commission disregarding that to give itself a pass mark.
If in 12 States, such a high percentage of failed verification was recorded, it means that with a higher margin for error, more voters will be disenfranchised on election day, a messy situation the commission will be wise to avoid completely.
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