European Union Chief Election Observer in Nigeria, Mr. Santiago Fisas has said that despite the hiccups in the use of card reader, in today’s electoral process, it is still the best form of accrediting voters.
Fisa who spoke to newsmen today shortly after monitoring the exercise at Model Secondary School, in Maitama district of Abuja commended the “courage” of Nigerians to exercise their right to vote.
He said that the accreditation of voters was slow but that the card reader would ensure the integrity of the election processes.
“I can tell you that many of the polling units were not ready. Because sometimes the INEC people were not ready, sometimes the materials were not ready. That sort of complicated things, but now, hopefully, things are going on.
“The machine is a little complicated, obviously to prevent fraud. But sometimes it fails, sometimes you put a finger it fails, you put the next, it says ‘okay’. Even if the machine is failing, it is good for the accreditation.”
The EU chief said his mission would be to stay in Nigeria throughout the elections and “follow up” the process, but that he and his deputy will return to Nigeria in July to present their recommendation to whoever becomes president. [myad]
