INEC to test-run card readers in Ekiti, 11 other states

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has selected 12 states, including Ekiti to test-run the workability of the smart card readers to be used for the forthcoming general election.

Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Sam Olumekun, who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday, said the exercise would be conducted in designated wards in the state on Saturday.

Olumekun said Dallimore Ward 09, Ado Ekiti, with a total of about 21,631 registered voters, out of which over 14, 461 had collected their Permanent Voter Cards, had been selected for the exercise, explaining that the test-run idea is aimed at convincing Nigerians about the relevance of the smart card readers and to identify the challenges that could probably be encountered in the process.

The REC also said at the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee meeting comprising all the security chiefs that adequate provision of security would play a critical role in the success of the polls and called on the security personnel to brace up and display patriotism in the interest of the nation.

He said INEC had taken delivery of sensitive and non-sensitive materials, adding that the commission would create Registration Area Centres on the day of election to ease movement of materials for prompt commencement of voting at the appropriate time.

“Arising from some misgivings of certain sections and stakeholders about the use of smart card readers for voter authentication, the commission has decided that the device be put to test under real settings to determine the efficacy of the machines, identify problems, if any, with a view to rectifying them,” he said.

Olumekun added that the ward was selected in compliance with INEC’s set standard that the exercise should be performed in polling units with registered voters of more than 300.