Card reader failure: INEC okays manual accreditation

The INEC has given approval for its officers to accredit voters manually after being sufficiently satisfied that the Permanent Voter Card belongs to a prospective voter presenting it. In a statement by INEC’s Chairman, Information, Voter Education and Publicity Committee, Dr. Chris Eyimoga, on Saturday, the commission said this step was informed by the level of challenges encountered in the Saturday elections to accredit prospective voters. Iyimoga said, “The Commission has, therefore, decided as part of the Guidelines for the Conduct of the 2015 general elections that in Polling Units where card readers have so failed to work, the Presiding Officer shall manually accredit voters by marking the register of voters, upon being satisfied that the person presenting a Permanent Voter’s Card is the legitimate holder of the card.” Meanwhile Kunle Adewale, a son of the Olu of Epe, and five others drowned on Saturday in a river after their boast capsized. It was learnt that Kunle, who is a Director in the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, is the first son of the Olu of Epe, Oba Shefiu Adewale, who ascended the throne two years ago. Our correspondent learnt that Kunle and a local government chairman aspirant, Mr. Muiz Bello, as well as four others had gone to cast their votes for the All Progressives Congress when their boast suddenly capsized on their way back. A close source said, “It is indeed a very sad day. We were all together in Epe early in the morning and we ate together. After some time, they said they registered at a polling unit across the river. “About five hours later, we heard that he had died. We still don’t know how it all happened.” Confirming the incident, the state Chairman of the APC, Chief Henry Ajomale, said it was unfortunate. Ajomale prayed for the repose of their souls, adding that they died as honourable men. The APC boss said, “It is very unfortunate and we pray that the Almighty God grants them eternal rest and gives their families the strength to bear the loss. They died as honourable men, who fought for the progress of this country.” Ajomale lamented the voting process, adding that as of 8pm in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area, voting was still ongoing. He said, “INEC should have been more prepared because in many places, voting is still ongoing at this time (8pm) while in some places, there were no INEC officials.” Ajomale, however, maintained that he was confident that he would be able to deliver his ward to the APC even though it is an Igbo dominated area. Elsewhere, The Gov. of Rivers State Chibuike Amaechi and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state are trading accusation following the irregularities recorded in some LGAs in Rivers state. Although, the INEC has said it will conduct fresh election, Today, in those areas that faced technical hitches. This is basically those units that had technology failure from the card reader machine. On the same development, all the elections in Opobo/ Nkoro was been also postpone to today. Governor Chibuike Amaechi has decried poor conduct of the election in the state. He has accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dame Gecila Khan of trying to rig election in favour of his Bayelsa brother, President Goodluck Jonathan in Rivers. He accused the Khan of sending fake result sheets to some LGA in the state, adding that result sheets were not sent to some wards at all. Meanwhile, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gecila Khan has debunked the accusation saying Amaechi is whipping up sentiment. She said no report about result sheets has been communicated to her at the time of this report.