Card Reader Mandatory For April 11 Elections, Says INEC

SAN FRANCISCO, April 06, (THEWILL)  –  The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Monday said electronic voting card readers will be deployed for the April 11 elections, ruling out any relaxation of the rule like it did for the presidential and national assembly elections due to technical and operational issues.

INEC in a statement Mrs. Augusta C. Ogakwu, Secretary to the Commission, said that if a card reader fails at any location during accreditation and a replacement cannot be provided within the specified timeline then the election will be conducted the next day.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission wishes to inform all Nigerians that Card Readers will be used for the April 11, 2015 Elections.”

“The provision of the Guidelines for the conduct of the 2015 General Elections which outlined what is to be done if a Card Reader fails and cannot be replaced by the Commission within a specified time frame (i.e. Reschedule the election to the next day) will be enforced.”

“The relaxation of the Guideline on 28th March 2015 was only with respect to the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on that date.”

“The Commission has reviewed the operation of the Card Reader in the 28th March Elections, identified the challenges and has taken adequate measures to address them,” INEC said.