*Says DDC machines ‘ll not be used for elections

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

ABUJA-There would be more redeployment of officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before next month’s general elections begin on April 2.

This declaration was made yesterday by Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, while responding to complaints of leaders of various political parties during a meeting between the commission and the 53 political parties fielding candidates for various offices in the poll.

Prof. Jega further explained that the redeployment of officers of the commission would be across all levels.

In response to another question, Prof Jega stated that the Direct Data Capture, DDC, machines could not be used for next month’s poll because of the several challenges they posed to the commission during voters’ registration, adding that a section of the Electoral Act which prohibits electronic voting was also one of such obstacles.

Said he: “There is a possibility that somebody could go to court to challenge us if we use DDC machines since there is an aspect of the law which prohibits electronic voting. Use of these machines, even for the purpose of accrediting voters, could attract such a legal action and we have to avoid anything that could be used by anybody to stall the election”.