Enugu – Enugu State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Emeka Ononamadu, on Saturday said technicians and replacements were dispatched to the field to tackle any issue of card reader malfunctioning in the state.

Ononamadu made the disclosure in Enugu on Saturday during an interview.

Polling station workers prepare card readers, ballot and boxes to start the Election Day at Unguwar Sarki polling station in Kaduna on February 23, 2019, as Nigeria votes to elect its new president. – Nigerians began voting for a new president on February 23, after a week-long delay that has raised political tempers, sparked conspiracy claims and stoked fears of violence. Some 120,000 polling stations began opening from 0700 GMT, although there were indications of a delay in the delivery of some materials and deployment of staff, AFP reporters said. The presidential contest will see incumbent Muhammadu Buhari (APC) seek to win a second four-year term against former vice president Atiku Abubakar (PDP). (Photo AFP)

He said there was no cause for alarm as INEC was prepared to address any issue of malfunctioning of smart card readers in the ongoing elections.

‘‘We have already sent out technicians to go round and sort out any problem; whether it is from the handlers, operators of the smart carders readers or the smart card reader is faulty itself.

‘‘So, they are moving them with some smart card readers to act as fast replacement at any polling unit with such challenge,’’ he said.
https://newlive.vanguardngr.com/2019/03/enugu-apc-assembly-candidates-disown-purported-call-for-polls-postponement/
The commissioner said that ‘‘the turnout so far is on the increase as the ongoing electoral process gains more time.

‘‘The process is ongoing and hitch-free from reports from our field officers.

‘‘So, I am optimistic that all will go and end well with today’s (Saturday’s) elections,’’ he said. (NAN)