NEC, Gana Trade Words Over Smart Card Readers

Former minister of information, Professor Jerry Gana and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were Tuesday entangled in a battle of wits over the efficacy of the technology of the smart card reader (SCR) in the forthcoming elections.

Gana who punctured INEC voter verification and authentication process ahead of the March 28 National Assembly and presidential elections, said that the process is cumbersome and may frustrate potential voters on election day and ultimately breed confusion.

But INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Osaze Oluwole Uzzi, said the commission cannot be faulted on the SCR technology, stressing its introduction is sequel to INEC's commitment to add credibility and value to the electoral process.

Gana and Uzzi spoke separately on Tuesday at a public presentation and public launch of a book "Guide to Understanding Electoral Offences“ at the Merit House in Abuja.

Gana said "A new innovation such as the SCR requires enough time to test to avoid minimum disturbance to the voter.

"With over 68 million registered voters, INEC should have test run it in a small election to certify if it is good, you don't test run SCR in a national election".

He explained further that it is important for the voter to be educated on the electoral process to avoid chaos.

"Anything that could confuse and frustrate the voter must be avoided," Gana said.

He however warned against attempt to compromise the process, saying: "Nobody should be allowed to tamper with any vote, let the result be authentically declared".