The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concluded its final meeting with all registered political parties Thursday ahead of the March 28 election. Nick Dazang, INEC’s deputy director for public affairs, told VOA, “We updated them about our preparations to conduct the 2015 general elections. We were able to explain to them the procedures and the guidelines for these elections. We were also able to explain to them the ballots and the colors of the ballots and the papers that would be used on Election Day.” Some political parties, including President Jonathan’s ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), expressed concern about the use of the voter card reader machines the election body plans to use during the poll. The parties said at the meeting the machines should not be used, arguing that millions of prospective voters could be disenfranchised during the poll.
Dazang said recent tests conducted by INEC publicly in parts of the country, however, show the machines will be reliable, effective and ensure the poll’s credibility.
He said the machines achieved 100 percent efficiency during the tests. Dazang also said the electoral body is satisfied with the outcome of the tests, adding that the use of the card reader machines will ensure the election is transparent and credible.
“We shared with them our own reports of the demonstration of the card readers in 12 states of the federation last Saturday,” said Dazang.
Full Article: Nigerian Electoral Commission Confident of Transparent Vote.
