Ekiti 2018: PRP Warns INEC against Deploying Faulty Card Readers

Following incessant  malfunctioning of the card readers used in the conduct of the recent Edo and  Ondo Governorship election, Peoples Redemption Party(PRP), has warned that the state will reject the outcome of the 2018 governorship poll if such scenario is witnessed in
the state.

The political party urged the electoral commission to be wary of the need to keep its integrity, reminding that deployment of faulty card readers for elections is gradually debasing the trust Nigerians have in the body.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary in the state, Com. Gbenga Ogedengbe in Ado Ekiti yesterday, the party , urged INEC  to customize the card readers to be deployed to each of the 2,195 polling units during the poll.

In case that faulty  card readers are brought for the conduct of the election, Ogedengbe said the coalition of political parties in the state will not hesitate to protest against the outcome of the election, even if it is their favour.

“Card readers have become a veritable instrument that guarantee fairness and credibility of our polls , because we knew what politicians can do . It gives integrity to elections and our voters believe in whatever that machine presented as accredited voters.

“But the Edo and Ondo elections gave much to be desired. Many of the card readers were faulty which gave room for manipulations and this will not be tolerated in Ekiti.

“This warning was borne out of the way the INEC had been deploying problematic card readers in spite of protests and complaints.

“Many Nigerians are now suspecting the issue as INEC’s deliberate attempt to shortchange certain political parties in its stronghold.

“If INEC ignores this warning  and goes ahead to deploy these faulty problematic card readers in any polling unit in Ekiti in 2018, we will reject the outcome of that election in an unprecedented manner.

“To avoid suspicion, each card reader to be deployed to Ekiti must carry identification number. This code will enable every party agent to ascertain that the card reader deployed in his polling unit was the same card ready deployed by INEC .

“If we get your good cooperation on those demands , we may not have any cause to stage an open protest in the same regard”, PRP said.