A coalition of Civil Society Groups in Lagos under the aegis of Democracy Watch Group (DWG) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to test-run its card readers before the general elections.
INEC plans to deploy the e-card readers for the February elections in order to curb abuses of the process.
Addressing newsmen, the DWG chairman, Wale Ogunade, said that INEC should put in place a plan B, in case the e-card readers fail.
Ogunade, a Lagos based constitutional lawyer, said that the test-run was to avoid the Ghana experience where card readers failed.
“INEC should test-run the card readers in the six geo-political zones of the country before Jan. 31,” he said.
Ogunade, however, suggested that INEC should consider the use of option A4 as an alternative, in case the e-card reader failed.
According to him, INEC must ensure that all eligible voters are registered and have their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) before Jan 31.
“From reports monitored from the field, INEC has performed poorly in the distribution of the PVC and registration of new voters.
“Less than six weeks to the election, millions of Nigerians are yet to get their PVCS or be registered.
“In view of the noted lapses, INEC should put in place community based machineries to ease the distribution of the PVC to eligible voters across the country.
“INEC should also make available specific days and date for registration of voters nationwide,” he said.
He also urged INEC to ensure that it sanctions politicians who engage in character assassination and hate speech.
Ogunade condemned provocative statements from politicians and urged security personnel to be up and doing with regard to their constitutional responsibilities.
“All of us must play to the rule. We urge Nigerians to discountenance any one or party whose campaign is based on personality rather than issues,” he said.
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