By Ben Agande

ABUJA—The companies contracted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to supply the 132,000 units of the Direct Data Capture machines to be used for the voters’ registration  have 35-day to supply the machines, the commission announced yesterday.

In a statement by the commission, the three companies that got the contracts are Zinox Technologies Ltd, which is to supply 80,000 units at $1, 771. 73 per unit; Messrs Haier Electrical Appliances Corp Ltd, to supply 30,000 units at $1, 699. 60 per unit; and Avante International Technology Inc., to supply 22,000 units at $1, 699. 60 per unit.

The statement signed by Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to the chairman of the commission stated that the unit cost is inclusive of all taxes and charges.

It would be recalled that the chairman of commission, Attahiru Jega had stated that the machines to be used for the January voters’ registration would be received well before the commencement of the exercise.

About 330, 000 National youth Service Corps members are to be involved in the exercise which is expected to be major criteria to ensuring that the 2011 elections are free and fair.