Even as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come out to clarify that the use of card readers in next Saturday’s gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, the Commission has appealed to those in possession of its 63 missing card readers in Bayelsa State to return them before Saturday’s elections. INEC did not say how the card readers got missing.
Huhuonline.com understands that on Monday, INEC announced that 63 smart card readers used during the Feb. 23 President and National Assembly elections were missing. Wilfred Ifogah, INEC Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, told reporters yesterday that the affected local government areas where the cards were used include Brass, Sagbama, Southern-Ijaw, Nembe and Yenagoa.
Ifogah said that in Brass Ward 6, Unit 19, one smart card reader was missing, 24 missed in Nembe Wards 1, 4, 12 and 13, while 24 missed in Southern-Ijaw, Wards 1, 2, 3, 12 and 15. “Eight card readers are missing in Sagbama Ward 1, Unit 5 and Ward 6 Unit 3, while in Yenagoa six are also missing in Wards 1, 11 and 16.
“Yes, about 63 card readers are missing. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Monday Udom, has issued a statement that those involved should return them to INEC on or before Wednesday,” he said, adding that those in possession of the card readers would not be victimized if they return the items.
