BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

The Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms, CODER, has warned that the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC not to use the computerised card readers for the Ekiti and Osun states’ gubernatorial elections is a deliberate attempt to destroy the integrity of the 2015 general elections.

Noting past promises and subsequent fiascos by the commission, CODER said that the refusal by INEC to test-run the card readers in Ekiti and Osun states would mean that the commission would not be able to navigate around any issues that could arise in the 2015 general elections.

Convener of CODER, Chief Ayo Opadokun at a press conference in Lagos, yesterday, also raised concern on the capacity of INEC to do anything right, giving as his reasons, the fiascos that accompanied recent by-elections in Ondo, Delta and Anambra states.

Noting that the card readers are supposed to limit double or multiple voting, he said: “The purchase and efficient usage of the Card Reader is expected to make double/multiple voting and impersonation impossible because on the presentation of your voters card, your fingerprint will be tested with the card reader.

“The Card Reader will either validate or invalidate your claim of being a genuine voter. This certainly is supposed to be a significant step towards achieving credible elections and where every vote must count as demanded by Nigerians and the international community inclusive.

“The recounting of such positive and timely development by the INEC is suspicious because the non-usage of Card Readers in Ekiti and Osun states in June and August 2014 means that it will be practically impossible to detect multiple voting and impersonation which are rumoured to be perfected strategy of particular candidates.

“The non-usage of the Card Reader in Ekiti and Osun states would mean that there will be avoidable floodgate for the usage of Clown Voter Cards for multiple voting and impersonation in several polling units.

“Such a scenario will most certainly lead to confusion, accusations and possible violence in various polling centres given the expected effective monitoring and vigilance that contesting political parties would mount in order to defend their votes.”