Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, today used his appearance before the Senate at plenary to clear the air on the card reader and demonstrate how it would be used for the 2015 elections.

He defended INEC’s use of the card reader and Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for the polls, saying that this is in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution.

Jega said that INEC is empowered by Section 16 Subsection 4 of the Constitution to use card readers for the election.

He also clarified that the card readers are not to be used for voting proper but for accreditation. He added that the card readers would help eliminate electoral fraud.

The Senate had yesterday upon resumption of plenary summoned to appear before it today to throw more light on the shift in the general elections dates to March 28 and April 11. The new schedule was announced on February 7 by Prof. Jega, after meetings with political stakeholders.

Prof Jega said that the presidential election will hold on March 28 while the governorship election on April 11.

Jega told the senators: “We have done wide reaching consultations to enable us have as much input as necessary before taking an informed decision.

“In the series of consultations that we had with stakeholders, the questions constantly posed to them for consideration are; in view of the latest developments, should INEC proceed with the conduct of the general elections as scheduled in spite of the strong advice and if so, what alternative security arrangements are available to be put in place.

“The second is; should INEC take the advice of the security chiefs and adjust the schedules of the general elections within the framework of the constitutional provisions.”

•Photo shows Jega.

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