Election Postponement: INEC Completes Card Readers Reconfiguration

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has achieved the reconfiguration of all the Smart Card Readers (SCR) to be used for Saturday’s rescheduled polls.

The INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu made this known in a statement obtained by Naija News.

Yakubu who made the disclosure at a briefing to update political stakeholders on the level of preparations of the commission in the buildup to Saturday’s elections, expressed readiness for the forthcoming election.

In his words, Yakubu said: “At yesterday’s briefing, we reported that we achieved 95% configuration of the Smart Card Readers (SCR) nationwide. The Card Readers were introduced in the 2015 general elections to facilitate the accreditation of voters using the PVCs.

“They are configured to specific polling units and only open for use at 8am on Election Day. They automatically shut down by 10 pm in order to forestall any illegal use before the appointed time of elections.

“I am pleased to report that we have now achieved 100% completion of the configuration. We are good to go on this score.

“I briefed you yesterday that our State offices had commenced the process of inviting stakeholders to the CBN to examine the retrieved materials deployed last week & to witness the batching of materials according to Local LGAs. Reports from the States indicate full compliance.”

While speaking on the cross-section of attendees, Mahmood Yakubu said the deployment of sensitive materials to all Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country has started and will be concluded on Thursday.

“Similarly, I briefed you yesterday that having moved the sensitive materials to the 36 States and the FCT, the forward deployment to the 774 LGAs nationwide will commence today Wednesday 20th February, 2019 & be concluded tomorrow 21st February, 2019.

“Already, Adamawa, Anambra, Benue, Ekiti, Jigawa, Katsina, Osun, Ogun, Oyo & Taraba States have commenced the movement of materials to LGAs today. Other States will do so & conclude tomorrow. We will give a full rendition of movement to LGAs across all States tomorrow.

“We have been making good progress on logistics. Similarly, all other arrangements for the movement of personnel from the LGAs to the Wards are on course. We will fully brief you tomorrow at 3pm,” the INEC boss added.