Expert Urge INEC To Tackle SCR Loopholes Before 2019

Permanent Voters' Card (PVC) and the companion Smart Card Readers(SCRs) for the conduct of the 2015 election, caused a lot of controversy, with this in mind experts have called on INEC to tackle SCR loopholes ahead of 2019 elections.

Speaking on Wednesday at The Electoral Institute of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Roundtable in Abuja, Engr. Nuru Yakubu, in a paper presentation on the 'Smart Card Readers: Issues, Challenges and Consolidation': affirmed that the SCR didn't fail in it's performance but rather most of its shortcomings can be attributed to human error, improper use of a card reader, data input mismatch, storage of PVC.

He advised the commission to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the feasibility of electronic voting in the context of our electronic milieu.

And if the existing SCR are still to be used, they should be recalibrated and updated both its software and hardware components.

Dr. Tunji Adesina, who also made a paper presentation, said that the fingerprint should not be used alone for biometrics as it is not 100 per cent accurate. Sighting that facial recognition could be an addition as a form of biometric verification.

According to him; " The Smart Card Readers could be used for identification purposes, result transmission, electronic voting and for registration and authentication of voters.

While noting that the Smart Card Readers were handled improperly by INEC staff and ad hoc staff, he reminded INEC that expectations will be higher for future elections,stressing that all loop holes must be blocked.

Also speaking, Prof. O.B.C Nwolise said that early purchase, careful packaging, extensive trial use before election, intensive and adequate training for INEC staff as well as adequate voters education are necessities to achieve a successful election.

Nwolise while emphasizing that the SCR has come to stay, called for laws to help punish election riggers to avoid the sabotaging of government and INEC's efforts.

Earlier, the Director-General of The Electoral Institute (TEI) Abubakar Momoh said that the Smart Card Readers issue is a political issue, stressing that the disuse, misuse or lack of use of the SCR is a political question.

"The use or disuse of the Smart Card Reader is a political issue because it is about the choices we make".