Commission urged to use card readers in Bayelsa, Kogi polls

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been urged to make use of card readers in the forthcoming governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi.

Mr Abiodun Ajijola, Coordinator of Election Monitor (EM), an NGO, made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

According to him, manual accreditation should not be used.

"Another recommendation is that all polling units’ officers using card readers should be properly trained.

"We are also of the view that logistics should be well addressed to ensure early arrival of electoral materials.

"The election monitor believes that the incorporation of the recommendations from various stakeholders would make the elections to be successful’’, Ajijola said.

He stressed that INEC should be precise in the use of card readers in the forthcoming governorship elections.

"We need to be sure about INEC’s position on card reader policy, if not it is going to create room for misunderstanding’’, he said.

On the presentation, Ajijola said "t is the intention of the election monitor that this document will support the effort of information sharing and strengthening the quality of observation of the Nigerian electoral process.’’

He suggested the provision of adequate security for the coming elections, stating "I don’t expect no fewer than three policemen at each polling unit aside other security personnel at other strategic places.

He also advised the Federal Government not to use state resources to finance election in favour of any candidate against others.

"Our electoral process has tremendously improved, and hope is very high. Anything that will affect election quality should be avoided at all costs’’, he said.

Mr Tunde Bafunsho, Chairman, Justice and Equity Organisation, also called for the incorporation of card reader in the country’s Electoral Act.

"At the same time, we must take cognisance of the need for the manual voter register as well as the use of incidence form during election.