The integrity of the 2019 general elections has been compromised even before the beginning of voting, an Information Communication Technology (ICT) expert said on Monday. The man, a specialist in card technology, told News Express that the integrity of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to be used for the polls cannot be guaranteed due to the background of the contractor, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is also a candidate for the Senate in the February 23, 2019 National Assembly ballot.

The expert, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, opened up following claims by National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, that the system would not be compromised even though the contractor, Mohammed Musa, is APC candidate for the Niger East senatorial district seat.

“The fact that Musa’s company, Activate Technologies Limited, has the contract for the production of PVCs has already compromised the integrity of the electoral process,” the man, who claimed to know Musa and his company, very well, said.

He berated the INEC Chairman for defending the contract, saying: “You are contesting an election and you are the one printing the voter’s card? How can anyone defend that? As one who understands the system so well, I can tell you that it is easy for the contractor to manipulate.”

The source disclosed that Musa’s former company was banned by the former INEC Management under the leadership of Prof. Mahmud Jega, “which is why he changed the name to Activate Technologies Limited and entered into partnership with some Chinese companies for the execution of the contract.”

The man advised the political opposition “to go to court and stop the use of the PVCs” produced under the contract with Musa’s company or be prepared to lose the elections.

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