JUST IN: PDP sues INEC for insisting on card readers

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sued the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the use of card readers
for the general election.

In a suit filed before the federal high court in Abuja, the
party asked the court to restrict INEC from postponing elections in
any polling unit as a result of a malfunctioning card reader.

INEC had said elections in the case where a smart card reader
malfunctions, voting will be suspended till a new card reader
arrives, or postponed till the next day if a replacement is not
available by 2pm.

In the suit dated February 11 a copy of which was sent to our
reporter, the party argued that INEC’s insistence — in its
regulations and guidelines for the conduct of the elections — that
a voter’s identity must be confirmed by the card reader is
inconsistent with provisions of the electoral act.

The paragraph states: “10. (a) In accordance with Section 49 (2)
of the Electoral Act, a person intending to vote shall be verified
to be the same person on the Register of Voters by use of the Smart
Card Reader (SCR) in the manner prescribed in these Regulations and
Guidelines.

“(b) Any poll official who violates the provision of Clause 10
(a) shall be deemed to be guilty of an offence and shall be liable
to prosecution.”

The party said this particular regulation does not align with
section 49 of the electoral act. The section states: “(1) A person
intending to vote with his voter’s card, shall present Issue of
ballot papers himself to a Presiding Officer at the polling unit in
the constituency in which his name is registered with his voter’s
card.

More to follow…