Card reader can’t be compromised, says INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission says no one can use the identification number on Permanent Voters’ Cards to comprise the smart card reader machine on election day.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, stated this at a forum tagged, “Women National Dialogue with INEC Chairman”, organised by European Centre for Electoral Support with INEC on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mahmood was responding to allegations that some party agents were collecting PVCs’ identification numbers in exchange for money.

He maintained that there was no way anybody could compromise the integrity of the process simply by knowing the voter identification number of the electorate.

The chairman said it was unimaginable for someone to go and give money to collect voter identification number to manipulate the election.

“We heard that some people have been going round inducing voters to produce their PVCs, copy the voter identification numbers and return the PVCs to the voters.

“No one should believe that somehow they can induce the voters and copy their voter identification numbers to comprise the smart card readers and therefore comprise the election.

“I want to assure you and other Nigerians that nothing like that can happen on Election Day,” the chairman said.

He assured that there was no way anyone could use the voter identification number to either comprise the smart card reader on Election Day or compromise the process.

“There is no way anybody can compromise the integrity of the process simply by knowing the voter identification number of voters,” he said.

The Chairman however said that preference would be given to pregnant women, nursing mothers and people living with disabilities irrespective of the age, on queue during the election.

He also called on Nigerians registered who were yet to pick their PVCs to do on or before Friday.

(NAN)