02-27-2019, 09:12 AM
PDP Protests Selective Use of Card Readers in Northern States
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 politics
![[Image: dca5ef73-osita-chidoka-696x561.jpg]](https://storage.googleapis.com/thisday-846548948316-wp-data/wp-media/2019/02/dca5ef73-osita-chidoka-696x561.jpg)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), this morning vehemently protested what it called selective use of Smart Card Readers (SCRs) in a significant part of Northern states, saying since it was a breach of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s guideline, the results of the presidential election held last Saturday ought to be reviewed.
Raising other sundry concerns about the conduct of the elections, including the deprivation of about 5.1 million voters from participation due to cancellation of votes arising from card reader infractions and violence, the party called for the suspension of declaration of returns until its concerns are addressed.
The party’s concerns were expressed by its agent, Chief Osita Chidoka, who argued that since the 5.1 million restrained votes were more than the 3.9million votes margin of win scored by President Muhammadu Buhari, it had become necessary to review the outcome of the election and consider the suspension of the declaration exercise.
Replying, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission was unable to accede to the request of the PDP because its assertions were not substantive, explaining that since declaration exercise was part of a process, the electoral body would examine the party’s observations and take it into consideration when reviewing the electoral process.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 politics
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), this morning vehemently protested what it called selective use of Smart Card Readers (SCRs) in a significant part of Northern states, saying since it was a breach of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s guideline, the results of the presidential election held last Saturday ought to be reviewed.
Raising other sundry concerns about the conduct of the elections, including the deprivation of about 5.1 million voters from participation due to cancellation of votes arising from card reader infractions and violence, the party called for the suspension of declaration of returns until its concerns are addressed.
The party’s concerns were expressed by its agent, Chief Osita Chidoka, who argued that since the 5.1 million restrained votes were more than the 3.9million votes margin of win scored by President Muhammadu Buhari, it had become necessary to review the outcome of the election and consider the suspension of the declaration exercise.
Replying, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission was unable to accede to the request of the PDP because its assertions were not substantive, explaining that since declaration exercise was part of a process, the electoral body would examine the party’s observations and take it into consideration when reviewing the electoral process.