"WE ARE SURE OF CARD READERS" INEC

There seems to be no going back on the use of Smart Card Readers (SCRs) in the general elections.

Independent National Electoral Commission has invited all political parties for a session on the machines, which it insists will check rigging and improve efficiency.

Ahead of the session, the electoral commission last night said it was satisfied that the SCRs will add tremendous transparency and credibility to accreditation on Election Day.

But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is said to be mobilising smaller parties for a protest against the SCRs at tomorrow’s meeting.

The plot to “create a scene” in INEC  was uncovered last night.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “INEC will meet with all the political parties on Thursday to make its position known, that it will not go back on SCRs.

“The commission will, however, use the session to get more input from the parties on how the SCRs can be successfully deployed for the general election.

“INEC will also present the outcome of the mock election conducted in 12 states to the political parties.”

But it was learnt that the meeting might be a stormy session because PDP is mobilising smaller parties to protest against INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega over card readers.

Another source said: “The PDP is poised for a showdown with INEC and Jega over the use of Card Readers. The party and 15 others have plotted a script to “create a scene” on Thursday.

“They are set to disrupt the meeting between Jega and political parties.

“Alternatively, they might seek a court injunction to restrain INEC from using Card Readers. There are four suits in court against the use of Card Readers and they are banking on a frivolous injunction to frustrate INEC.

“The PDP and 15 others are planning this protest, in spite of the fact that they have received legal advice that Card Readers do not violate the Electoral Act.”

INEC yesterday said it was satisfied with the adoption of SCRs for the general elections.

The commission, in a statement through the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Robert Idowu, said the Card Readers will ensure transparency and credibility of the accreditation for the general elections.

The statement said: “INEC is satisfied that the use of SCRs in the 2015 general elections will add tremendous transparency and credibility to the accreditation process on Election Day.