INEC speaks on use of Smart Card Readers 4 days to governorship elections

- INEC said it will use the smart card reader for the coming governorship election

- The electoral body said speculation that it will not be used is baseless

- INEC said it will help to improve voting credibility

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted that it will use the smart card readers for the governorship and state assembly elections.

The electoral reinstated this commitment in a statement on Tuesday, March 5 signed by Festus Okoye, its national commissioner.

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INEC said there has been speculation that card readers will be jettisoned but described the speculations as baseless rumour.

The electoral body said the use of card readers increases voting credibility and would therefore be deployed for the governorship and state assembly elections

The statement reads: “Since the conduct of the February 23, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections, there have been allegations from certain quarters that the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was selective in its use of Smart Card Readers (SCRs) in its conduct of the elections. These allegations have led to speculations that INEC may be forced to jettison their use in the March 9, 2019 Governorship, State Houses of Assembly and Federal Capital Area Council elections..

"INEC hereby states categorically that the allegations are absolutely false and the speculations are without any basis whatsoever. The use of the Smart Card Readers is not only mandatory but its deliberate non-use attracts the sanction of possible persecution of erring officials in accordance with the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of election. This is in addition to the voiding of any result emanating from such units or areas, as was done in the Presidential and National Assembly elections of February 23, 2019.

"The general public and all officials engaged for the elections are hereby informed that the Commission is not reconsidering the use of these Smart Card Readers, which has greatly improved the credibility of our elections and instilled a high level of public trust in them.

"To clear any doubt or ambiguity, we wish to state that the deployment and mandatory use Smart Card Readers in next Saturday's election will not only be uniform but also universal, and the provisions of the Regulations and Guidelines will be strictly and vigorously enforced. All Stakeholders are to note and be guided accordingly please."

Source: Legit.ng