Ahead of next year’s governorship poll in Ekiti State, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy functional card readers to aid its smooth conduct.
The party stated faulty card readers used for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo State is gave the electorate concern and reduced their confidence in the machines.
In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Gbenga Ogedengbe, the PRP stated the coalition of opposition parties may reject the election results if it is conducted with what he called “problematic card readers.”
Ogedengbe stated in the event that faulty card readers are brought for the election next year, the coalition of political parties will protest against the outcome of the election, even if it is in their favour.
He said: “Card readers have become a veritable instrument that guarantee fairness and credibility of our polls , because we knew what politicians can do . It gives integrity to elections and our voters believe in whatever that machine presented as accredited voters.
“But, the Edo and Ondo elections gave much to be desired. Many of the card readers were faulty which gave room for manipulations and this will not be tolerated in Ekiti.
“Ogedengbe added: This warning was borne out of the way the INEC had been deploying problematic card readers in spite of protests and complaints.
“Many Nigerians are now suspecting the issue as INEC’s deliberate attempt to shortchange certain political parties in its stronghold.
The Nation