The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD ) has commended the introduction of card readers and PVCs.CDD which issued this commendation after observing the mock election exercise In Abuja however noted that “that poor handling and communication of the exercise by INEC marred the process, as majority of citizens have no idea the exercise was on in the designated centres.”
A statement by CDD Director,Idayat Hassan said “ The Centre for Democracy and Development(CDD )on the 13th day of December, 2014 observed the INEC mock election exercise using card reader in preparation for 2015 election.
“The exercise was conducted at Abuja Municipal Area Council- Garki, Games village and CITEC Mbora Estate and Bwari Area Council in Usuma , Berger Camp and Owner Occupier. As early as 8.20am, all personnel and materials were observed set up in all designated Centres’. The exercise commenced at 9am with the Verification of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) using the card reader. CDD observed, the card reader takes an average of 30 seconds to verify a PVC and overall an average of one minute to attend to a voter.
Idayat said “With what we have witnessed, we commend the introduction of the Card readers and PVCs as it is time saving and will check fraud thereby bringing integrity into our electoral system.
“However, the very low turnout for the exercise makes it difficult to adjudge how effective the card reader maybe in the 2015 elections where at least 500 voters are expected to vote per voting point.
“We also believe that poor handling and communication of the exercise by INEC marred the process, as majority of citizens have no idea the exercise was on in the designated centres. We call on INEC to improve its publicity and communication strategy.
