He has also demonstrated how the card reader would be used for elections.
Professor Jega defended INEC’s use of card readers and PVC’s for the 2015 elections saying this is in accordance with the constitution.
He said INEC is empowered by section 16 subsection 4 to use card readers for the election.
Professor Jega also clarified that the card readers are not to be used for voting proper but for accreditation.
He added that the card readers would help eliminate electoral fraud.
“We have worked together with all registered political parties and agreed on what to do if the card reader fails or if there is a voter without a finger.
“In the highly and likely event that a card reader fails, we have enough spares to deploy before the end of accreditation by 1:00pm and then adjust the time to gain for lost time where or if a card ready have failed.
“If we cannot replace before the end of accreditation, then the election in that particular voting point will be postponed to the following day when a new card reader would be provided for the election.
“We agreed with political parties to do this because if you say; if a card reader fails then revert to manual, we are worried that everywhere, it will revert to manual because there are many people who do not want the card readers to be used,” he said.
The Senate on Tuesday issued a summon to the professor of Political Science when plenary resumed at the Upper Legislative Chamber.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced a shift in the general elections dates to March 28 and April 11. The new schedule was announced on February 7 by Prof Jega, after meetings with political stakeholders.
Prof Jega said that the Presidential Election will hold on March 28 while the Governorship election on April 11.
“We have done wide reaching consultations to enable us have as much input as necessary before taking an informed decision.
“In the series of consultations that we had with stakeholders, the questions constantly posed to them for consideration are; in view of the latest developments, should INEC proceed with the conduct of the general elections as scheduled in spite of the strong advice and if so, what alternative security arrangements are available to be put in place.
“The second is; should INEC take the advice of the security chiefs and adjust the schedules of the general elections within the framework of the constitutional provisions,” Professor Jega said.Click to watch video
No comments:
Post a Comment