By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disclosed yesterday that it has completed 100 percent reconfiguration of the Smart Cards Readers (SCRs) ahead of the next Saturday Presidential/National Assembly elections.
The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the disclosure while addressing journalists in Abuja to update the people on the preparedness of the commission for the general elections.
The Chairman similarly revealed that INEC has received reports of missing materials, adding quickly that such are negligible for now.
According to him, “We received reports of missing materials but such are negligible for now” adding that the commission is fully prepared for the elections now.
Prof. Yakubu said, “At yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) briefing, we reported that we achieved 95% configuration of the smart card readers (SCRs) 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,” he said.
Continuing, the INEC Chairman added, “Similarly, I briefed you yesterday (Tuesday) that our State offices had commenced the process of inviting stakeholders to the Central Bank of Nigeria to examine the retrieved materials deployed last week and to witness the batching of materials according to Local Government Areas (LGAs). Reports from the States indicate full compliance.
“Similarly, I briefed you yesterday that having moved the sensitive materials to the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the forward deployment to the 774 LGAs nationwide will commence today Wednesday 20thFebruary 2019 and be concluded tomorrow Thursday 21stFebruary 2019.
“Already, Adamawa, Anambra, Benue, Ekiti, Jigawa, Katsina, Osun, Ogun, Oyo and Taraba States have commenced the movement of materials to LGAs today. Other States will do so and conclude tomorrow. We will give a full rendition of movement to LGAs across all States of the federation 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,” Yakubu added.
