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APC Supporters Accuse PDP Of Frustrating Planned Use Of Card Readers

Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have expressed concerns over what they called “an alleged attempt” by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to frustrate … Continue reading APC Supporters Accuse PDP Of Frustrating Planned Use Of Card Readers


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Card_Reader_For_Election-in-NigeriaSupporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have expressed concerns over what they called “an alleged attempt” by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to frustrate the use of card readers in the forthcoming general elections.

The Director of Media and Information for the group, Mr Chidi Madueke, made the claims on Monday while addressing a press conference in Abuja.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had insisted that the card readers would be used in the general elections scheduled to hold on march 28 and April 11.

Briefing lawmakers last week on the use of the card reader, the chairman of the INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega said that the Permanent Voter Cards (PVC), which would be read with the card reader on voting days, had been designed in a way that would hinder rigging.

He said that the card readers had been configured for specific polling units which also would correspond with the data of voters that registered at the polling unit.

However, the group is accusing the ruling party of working against the use of the card reader during the polls, as it would be difficult to rig the election, if the card readers are used.

According to Mr Madueke, the group will reject any such attempt that could impact negatively on the credibility of the forthcoming general elections.

“We certainly shall not subscribe to any script that is centred on how to oust Jega by forcefully sending him on Terminal leave, replacing him with another Muslim professor considered to be more pliable a successor.

“Such a scenario, demanding for more time to enable new commission chair to settle down before holding any election is another shifting of the goal post.

“In line with the above scenario, we are presently witnessing several pro-government TV and radio talk show commentators as they mould public opinion on the issue that INEC had not tested this card readers on any previous local election and should not use the Presidential and national polls to do so.

“We are convinced that the real objective of such propaganda is to eventually force INEC to eliminate the card reader in order to make vote rigging easier. We say no to this grand plan,” he said.

Earlier on Monday, both the PDP and the APC opposed a suit challenging the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the use of the electronic Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in the general elections.

The suit was filed by the Society for Advancement and Protection of Public Rights (SAPPR) and it came up for mention at the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday.

It is challenging the power of the INEC to use of the electronic voting system without legislation by the National Assembly.

According to the group, the electoral umpire cannot evoke an administrative fiat. It said the electoral body’s actions were illegal, null and void.