INEC supplies 468 new DDC machines to Abia

Posted by admin Abia, State News Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

SUCCOUR may have come the way of some communities in Abia State, following deployment of 468 Direct Data Capturing, DDC, machines by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Many communities in the state, including some wards in Omoba, Isiala Ngwa South Council, had not started the exercise as a result of non-availability of the direct data capturing machines in their areas.

Vanguard gathered that INEC in the state has received outstanding 468 direct data capturing machines meant for the state which were being configured yesterday for onward distribution in the areas where they were not available.

Confirming the receipt of the new 468 machines, INEC Head, Public Affairs in the state,

Mr. Edwin Inabor, informed Vanguard on telephone after inquires that the balance of 468 machines were received and were being configured for distribution.

He urged all the people who were affected by the shortage to remain calm as they would begin their registration yesterday.

Last week when the INEC REC briefed journalists before the commencement of the exercise, he disclosed that of the total of 2877 machines allocated to the state, only 2409 were received, leaving a balance of 468.

Meanwhile, the governorship candidate for Congress for Positive Change, CPC, in Abia State, Chief Ako Atluomah, has called on INEC to extend the period of the voters’ registration by one week to cover the lapses experienced in the first days of the exercise.

Atuloma said extension was necessary because it was not the fault of the people, adding that it would not be good for people to be disfranchised.

Atulomah, who made the appeal after registering at Ezeleke/Ogboukwu Ward 5, Umuahia, however, commended INEC for quickly addressing the identified problems in the course of the exercise.

He described as a healthy development turn out of Abia people for the exercise, saying it was a sign that the people desired change in the state.

He expressed joy with the enthusiasm of the people for the exercise.

The governorship candidate commended Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for refusing to dance to the tune of the ruling party.

According to Atulomah, it is great of INEC not to succumb to the pressure of the ruling PDP to cancel some primaries the commission witnessed.

He said it was good that INEC was sticking to its guidelines, and urged it to maintain the position.

-Vanguardwp_posts