The 32 Card Readers were recovered in a bush on Rumuji-Emohua axis of the East-West Road in the Southsouth state. They were allegedly thrown into the bush by thugs who were fleeing to escape arrest.

The thugs were believed to be working for one of the major political parties.

A top official of the SARS in Rivers, said that the hoodlums, who drove in a brown Toyota Camry saloon car around 9am on Saturday, were given a hot chase by operatives of the squad, making them to escape, after throwing a bag containing the 31 card readers into the bush.

INEC decries spoilt card readers in Delta, commences configuration of 5,823 machines

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Delta State on Tuesday lamented the breakdown of its card readers, saying that it has commenced the configuration of 5, 823 smart card readers, SCR.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr. Cyril Omorogbe, who made this known to newsmen in Asaba at a media conference, said that though the spoilt card readers have been hurriedly put in order before the next scheduled elections, there was the need for proper configuration to enhance the workings of the users, especially as they are called smart card readers.

Omorogbe disclosed that additional five percent of the 5, 823 of the SCRs would also be re-configured as backup, adding that the configuration was in compliance with the timeline of activities for the new dates to impute the new dates of the elections from February 17, 2019.

Dr. Omorogbe stated that the commission had since taken steps to quarantine sensitive materials at the CBN premises where internal and external security agencies are in full control of providing security and restricting access to the sensitive materials.

He said: “It was a task for us here at the commission with the breaking down of the card readers, but thank God they have been fixed, and we have started re-configuration of 5, 823 smart card readers, we will ensure everything is in order before the Saturday’s elections”.

While expressing gratitude to security agencies, Omorogbe however appealed to political parties in the state to respect the understanding for peaceful elections, adding the commission will deal ruthlessly with any violators of INEC rules and regulations.

The REC therefore assured all stakeholders of the commission’s neutrality, transparency and impartiality in the discharge of its duties.