Vice President Namadi Sambo on Thursday said the People’s Democratic Party’s opposition to the use of card readers in the conduct of the next general elections was based on the legality and the efficiency of the technology.
PDP has said many consistently that it was disposed to the use of technology in spite of the Independent National Electoral Commission insistence that the use of card readers would combat significantly cases of electoral fraud and thus ensure that the polls are credible.
But Sambo said the technology which is untested in the country has no enabling law backing its usage in the country, hence, may be illegal.
The opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in defence of INEC said it believed that PDP did not want the use of card readers because it would not afford the ruling party the opportunity to rig the elections.
The electoral body has also assured that it will provide for manual screening of voters where the machines fail, to ensure no one is disenfranchised – another concern expressed by the PDP.
Mr. Sambo’s remarks, Thursday, were the first from the presidency on the card reader controversy.
Speaking in Kano, Mr. Sambo said his party cannot be afraid of the card readers as it is certain of winning the presidential and governorship elections.
He said the party was only kicking against the use of the machines, as they may fail, leading to the disenfranchisement of many Nigerians.
The vice president also questioned the machine’s place in the Electoral Law.
“If it is not there (in the law) then does it mean it is illegal? And can we depend on an illegal thing when we are talking of a free and fair election that will lead to having credible leaders?” he asked.
He said the PDP was making frantic efforts to ensure Nigerians elect leaders through an election worthy of international recognition.
Mr. Sambo urged Nigerians to take a careful look at the electoral law and see whether the use of card readers is recognized.
He said the PDP is the only party for Nigerians, being fully established in all parts of the country.
“Our party has been there since 1998,” he said. “It has never changed name or colour. It is the party Nigerians want and the party they will vote in to continue doing good things.”