INEC Configures 95% Of Smart Card Readers Ahead Of Feb. 23 Elections

INEC Almost Set For Saturday Presidential Elections

In preparation for the rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections holding this Saturday, the Independent National  Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has achieved 95 per cent configuration of the Smart Card Readers.

Briefing newsmen yesterday in Abuja on the commission’s preparations for the postponed national elections, Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, promised that the configuration of the card readers would be completed on Wednesday.

Naija News understands that this announcement will counter speculations going round that the elections will be further postponed as INEC needs more time to prepare.

According to Yakubu, “You will recall in my last address to stakeholders on Saturday I mentioned that we intended to deployed card readers and we identified very clear time line for the delivery of the card readers.

“I want to report that as at last night, we have achieved 95 per cent configuration of the 180,000 card readers and this process is going to be completed early morning on Wednesday, one day ahead of schedule.

“We also told stakeholders that in response to appeal to the commission to extend the period of campaign by political parties, the commission yesterday also met with party leaders and extended the period for campaign to midnight of Thursday.

“Because of the extension of state elections taking place on March 9, the commission hereby extends the campaign for that election to Thursday before the election date.

Yakubu added that the deployment of all materials to local governments and wards would take place today and Thursday, adding that all the Registration Areas would be activated by Thursday.

The Chairman added that personnel and materials would also be at the Registration areas by midday on Friday, while refresher training for ad hoc to take place on Friday.

“Personnel and materials must arrive at polling units latest 7 a.m. on Saturday and the opening of poll will take place by 8 on Saturday,’’ Yakubu assured.

He said that INEC was committed to free, fair and credible elections, saying the commission was working hard to ensure that the elections take place as scheduled.

He appealed for continued understanding by Nigerians and called on political parties to be mindful of their speech in order not to overheat the polity, saying that votes of Nigerians would determine the outcome of the elections.

Yakubu said that the over 4600 extra card readers mopped up from state to replace the ones burnt at INEC office in Anambra would not in any way affect the number of card readers needed for other states.

He also explained that no third party was involved in the configuration of the card readers, saying the management and configuration was being done by the commission’s ICT Department.

Meanwhile, Naija News reports that investigations are still on over what may have transpired that led to the postponement of the elections.