Group Wants Probe Of INEC Capturing Machine

The National Action Council (NAC) on Friday urged the National Assembly and the EFCC to find out what happened to the data capturing machines used by the Prof. Maurice Iwu-led INEC for voter’s registration before the 2007 elections.

 In a statement in Lagos, the NAC Chairman, Dr Olapade Agoro stated that “money should not be released for the voter’s registration without concluding on probe on the machines.

 “There is no need for INEC’s new administration to go to the market to spend money when account is yet to be given on last election’s purchases.

“The present INEC management should, for the economic benefits of the nation, for probity and transparency, ask what happened to the equipment.’’

He said the equipment bought by INEC and used once could not have taken flight to the stores of those who supplied them.

 According to him, the approval for the N74 billion demanded by INEC for new equipment for voter’s registration should be on hold till the former equipment is recovered.

“ There is no justification for the controversy brewing at the national level over Prof. Attahiru Jega’s demand for N74 billion to conduct new voters register for the 2011 elections.

“Interestingly, Iwu, Jega’s predecessor in office went to town prior to the 2007 elections to purchase data capturing equipment at cost to the nation of about N53 billion.

“There is, therefore, no gainsaying that the equipment used by INEC then can still be used, thus saving the nation avoidable waste,’’ he stated.