Commission (INEC) decision to use Smart Card Reader for the general
elections.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki that the
introduction of the card reader would not only engender credible
polls, but also ensure that only those who registered were allowed to
vote.
They contended that the innovation would minimise rigging, ensure
transparency and deepen the country's electoral process.
The people urged Nigerians, especially the political class, to have
confidence on the Prof. Attahiru Jega-led electoral umpire, saying
that the commission would deliver on its mandate.
A lawyer and Human Rights activist, Mr Alex Ibiam, said that the card
reader was an innovation aimed at reducing electoral fraud.
Ibiam said that the measure would eliminate sharp practices usually
associated with balloting and ensure credibility of the exercise.
"I think Jega should be commended instead of being castigated for
introducing the card readers for use in accreditation of voters.
"I participated in the rescheduled test-run of the use of the machine
in Abakaliki and the device worked perfectly well.
"I believe that those who are not comfortable with this new technology
are those who are shying away from the truth or those who want to
maintain the old order.
"But the world is changing and we need to change with the changing
tide in our electoral system in order to consolidate our hard won
democracy.
"There should be a collective resolve by all and sundry to partner the
electoral umpire to succeed", Ibiam said.
Mr Joe Onwa, a civil servant, said that time had come for Nigeria to
get it right in its march toward consolidating its democracy.
Onwa said that the electorate were desirous of allowing their votes to
count, adding that the card reader was an innovative attempt toward
achieving credible voting.
He expressed hope that the card reader would stamp out electoral
malpractice and ensure that only qualified to voters participate in
the exercise.
"We have all yearned for credible electoral process where the votes of
you and I will count; I think with what INEC is doing that time has
come.
"We owe a patriotic duty to support the commission in its painstaking
efforts in ensuring that our votes counted in the forthcoming
elections.
"I urge politicians and the political class to partner with the
commission to ensure that the process is not only credible but seen to
be credible both locally and internationally.
"History and posterity beckon on every patriotic Nigerian to support
INEC in this trying moment of our democratic journey", Onwa said.
Mr Martin Eze, a trader at the Abakpa Main Market in Abakaliki, blamed
politicians and the political class for heating up the polity
unnecessarily.
"Jega has a very good and patriotic intension but our greedy,
desperate and over ambitious politicians are bent on destroying the
process just to achieve selfish ends.
"I support INEC for insisting on the use of card reader, while urging
the commission to guard against any attempt to compromise the
machine", Eze said.
--NAN
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