INEC Runs Field Tests Of Card Readers In 12 States

The field test of smart card readers took place in 225 polling units and 358 voting centres across the 12 states of Nigeria on March 7, 2015, Saturday.


The venues for the trials were: Aguata (Anambra), Jama’are (Bauchi), Oshimili South (Delta), Abakaliki (Ebonyi), Ado Ekiti (Ekiti), Kumbotso (Kano), Bunza (Kebbi), Ikeja (Lagos), Kokona (Nasarawa), Shiroro (Niger), Port Harcourt City (Rivers) and Gassol (Taraba).

Naij.com has gathered the first reactions on the live demo.

INEC Runs Field Tests Of Card Readers In 12 States
Card readers were tested in several states across the nation on March 7, 2015, Saturday. Photo: Premium Times
Channels TV correspondents reported that all went well in Lagos. The time frame for the testing of the card readers ranged from about 5 seconds to a minute. The issue of cloned cards had not been recorded.

As concerns Delta state, then lots of future voters came by 8am to participate in the exercise. It was “a smooth ride” for some, but it took a little more than 10 seconds for others, because their thumb print could be recognised by the card reader immediately.

INEC Runs Field Tests Of Card Readers In 12 States
PVC authentication at Fegyen Angwa, Nasarawa #INECCardReaderTest. Photo: INEC Instagram
The reporter also informed about a curious fact. When some voters from other wards came out to check if they could be accredited, the card reader rejected the cards and indicated an OPC (other polling cards) message.

Premium Times reports about disagreements on card readers’ efficiency between the PDP and the APC in Kano.

Hakeem Baba Ahmad, the APC representative, confirmed the device successfully captured about 60% of the test voters, just 40% had difficulties with biometric data and fingerprinting.

INEC Runs Field Tests Of Card Readers In 12 States
A visually impaired voter getting his PVC and thumb print authenticated #INECCardReaderTest. Photo: INEC Instagram
However, his counterpart from the PDP, Umar Maimistaleta, lamented there were huge problems with the card readers, which could lead to disfranchisement of many Nigerians. In his opinion, “the INEC could have allowed the card readers be used in future elections while this one should be done with the PVC as they are.”

INEC Runs Field Tests Of Card Readers In 12 States
A PVC is undergoing authentication by the card reader #INECCardReaderTest. Photo: INEC Instagram
Many Nigerians took to social media to share their impressions.

According to @seunokin of @channelstv CARD READER test today has been a success in Lagos as it takes only 7seconds….

— The Godfather (@Ayourb) March 7, 2015

No matter what we have to say INEC was not ready for the election on the 14th Feb #INECCardReaderTest

— Otunba Sam Adelabu (@oyesams08) March 7, 2015

i gathered d mock accreditation exercise was more of a success in d tried PUs. Especially with respect to time 👏. #INECCardReaderTest

— LIFTED (@_i_Relate) March 7, 2015

RT @folanski :BEST NEWS!!Visually impaired voter getting his PVC &thumb print authenticated #INECCardReaderTest pic.twitter.com/vNPo5mUhJc

— Red Card Movement (@redcard2015) March 7, 2015

I don’t think so. PVC collection fragile. Now #INECCardReaderTest showing lots of kinks to iron out. #March4Buhari pic.twitter.com/sz6N9dv9l4

— Usman Ishaq Kusada (@Dr_Kusada) March 7, 2015


Have you participated in the exercise? Please share your experiences with us!