INEC To Use 1,500 Card Readers For Lagos Bye-Election

To achieve a hitch-free exercise, the Independent National Electoral Commission has assembled Over 1,500 card readers for December’s Federal Constituency bye-election in Ifako-Ijaiye.

The commission’s Administrative Secretary Clement Oha said the number was twice higher than the number needed for the election.

The election is coming up following the death of Mr Elijah Adewale, who represented the constituency in the House of Representatives.

Adewale died in Abuja on July 20.

Oha said that there were only 687 polling units in the constituency.

“We have prepared a good number of card readers for the election. We have assembled more than 1,500 card readers for accreditation of eligible voters.

“We are charging these card readers and taking adequate steps to ensure that none of them fails. If any fails, because they are machine, we will fix it, or replace immediately.

“We have made adequate preparations. Card readers have helped us to reduce multiple voting,” he said.

Oha gave the assurance that electoral body would provide equal opportunity to all parties to enable a free and fair election.

He urged all political parties and their leaders to advise there supporters against violence.

“My message is that all parties should observe the rules as contained in the electoral Act. Let us eschew violence, crisis and any acts capable of marring the poll.

“Violence in electoral process can only lead to election not concluded within a period provided by law.