THE STOLEN MACHINES ON THE TO ABUJA INEC OFFICE

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the stolen Direct Data Capture Machines (DDC) did not belong to it.

Director of Public Affairs, Emmanuel Umenger explained that though the reported theft of the machines was surprising but that the DDC machines were not INEC’s since they were yet to be formally delivered to the commission. Therefore, they could not be said to be INEC’s.

Umenger, while reacing to the development said, “we are yet to receive any DDC machine and if there is any machine missing, it is the responsibility of the company that brought the machines to speak on it and not that of INEC.”

However, the National Coordinator of the Northern Patriotic Front, Alhaji Ali Abacha has condemned the theft, stating that it exposed security lapses in the country. Abacha said, “it is because of the security lapses in the country and the unpatriotic nature of some Nigerians. The Police should properly stand up to its functions.”

On the implications of the stolen machines for the 2011 general elections, Abacha said the stolen machines should not affect the elections and INEC should not see it as an obstacle.

An indigenous information technology company, Zinox Technologies Limited, had brought in 14,000 units of the DDC machines from China and Dubai on Sunday. The quantity is part of the 80,000 units of the electronic equipment the company was awarded contract to supply. Two other companies - Haier Electrical Appliances Corporation of China and Avante of United States also won contracts to supply 30,000 and 22,000 units respectively.

Also the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu in a press statement reacting to the theft and the implications it had on the voters’ registration said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) hereby reassures all Nigerians that the voters registration exercise scheduled for 15th to 29th January, 2011 remains firmly on course.

• “This reassurance is necessary against the backdrop of the theft of some Direct Data Capture machines at the Lagos airport. “A consignment of 20 machines was stolen on Tuesday, out of a total of 6,000 brought into the country by Zinox Technologies Ltd., the contractor. Sixteen of these have been recovered by Thursday afternoon, and security agents are working assiduously to recover the four outstanding and apprehend the culprits. Besides, there are adequate safety features to forestall any nefarious use of the stolen items; as such, the integrity of the electoral processes would not be compromised.

“Furthermore, INEC has been assured of intensified safeguards against further breaches.

“The Commission uses this opportunity to urge all eligible Nigerians to turn out for the planned voter registration in January, and to work with INEC for the attainment of free, fair and credible elections in 2011