As many Ngerians crave for the suspension of the use of card readers during the forthcoming elections, Delta State Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike Ogeah has caled on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to jettison the plan due to persistent doubts over its efficacy and poor sensitization of the electorate by the electoral body.
Ogeah, during a live programme, Sunrise Daily, on Channels Television opined that the recent mock test of the card readers conducted by INEC in selected states across the six geopolitical zones of the country was not a true reflection of an election environment, particularly given the low turn-out of eligible voters recorded in the exercise.
He observed that recent developments proved that INEC was ill-prepared for the earlier polls scheduled for February 14 and March 28, the electorate still fear disenfranchisement as a result of inconsistencies in the distribution and collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards.
Ogeah, however assured that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is fully ready for the elections, despite the lapses exhibited by INEC in the equitable distribution of PVCs and attempt to demonstrate the use of the card readers.
He further emphasised the need for INEC to correct all the lapses including the issue of any emergent malfunction and management of the the card reder devise, before deploying it to use in an election of the magnitude of the 2015 general elections.
He urged Nigerian politicians, especially members of the opposition, to stop heating up the polity through hate campaigns, unnecessary criticism and rather dwell on critical issues in the nation’s interest.
Ogeah, who advised Nigerians to see INEC as an institution, saddled with the responsibility of conducting elections in the country, lamented he reverence of INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega above the authority, independence and responsibility of the institutions.
He therefore called on Nigerians to seek means of assistng INEC to ensure the conduct of credible elections, rather than dwelling on the personality of who headed the election body.
