#NigeriaDecides: Minister Of Information Admits Frutsration Over Card Reader Delays

By Chris Nomjov

The Honourable Minister of Infromation, Patricia Akwashiki, has voiced her disappointment over the delay in authenticating the Permanent Voter Cards by INEC card readers in many polling units in Nasarawa State at the commencement of the 2015 general elections.

Mrs. Akwashiki disclosed this while exercising her voting rights at her polling unit in Kagbu, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, as the card reader authenticated her PVC after several attempts.

The minister said the delay by the card reader to authenticate the PVCs was frustrating but urged voters to remain calm and peaceful as INEC officials provide alternative means to accredit them.

She observed that the card reader could authenticate only one PVC within the span of two hours when the accreditation of voters commenced.

Ms. Akwashiki therefore took time to educate the voters on queue to properly clean their hands to ensure that the card reader identified their thumbprints.

“So far, it has not been good because in my polling unit only one person has been captured. We are here from 8 o’clock, it’s now after 10 and only one person has been captured,” she complained.

The Information Minister equally appealed to Nigerians especially the youth to be peaceful during and after the elections to ensure the overall success of the 2015 general elections.

It has been observed that the electoral officials in Kagbu have resorted to both manual and electronic accreditation to enable the voters exercise their franchise on time.

Joseph Mutah
Press Secretary