Elections: Court Refuses To Stop Use Of Card Reader

A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant an application for
an interim injunction to stop the use of card readers for the conduct
of Nigeria's general elections starting on Saturday.

The suit was filed by a Senatorial candidate of the People's
Democratic Party, Wasiu Taiwo.

Senator Taiwo, through his counsel, Ajibola Oloyede, sought an order
of the court to stop the use of the Smart Card Readers on grounds that
they were unconstitutional for election in Nigeria.

Non-Tested Development

He also claimed that the electronic device could plunge the nation
into chaos, as it was a new and non-tested development in the
electoral process.

But the presiding Judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, refused the order
and put the case off until April 24.

Justice Ademola said his decision was based on the grounds that the
defendants to the matter, the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation, were not
in court.

Eliminate Chances Of Rigging
The INEC had tested the card readers in some states in different
geo-political zones in Nigeria, saying it is satisfied with the
outcome of the test.

The electoral body said the card readers would be used in the
accreditation of voters before voting begins.

After the test, the chairman of the INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega,
said the use of card readers would eliminate chances of rigging the
elections.

"If we do not use the card readers, we will lose in many fundamental
respects. We have done field and quality assurance tests on the card
reader and we are confident of its capabilities.

"Many Nigerians who participated in the demonstration have expressed
satisfaction in the use of the card readers.

"Nigerians should be confident that cloned cards cannot be used. The
card readers will not read cloned cards," he said.
--ChannelsTV