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INEC Retains Smart Card Reader, Incidence Form

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Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it will Monday release its revised guidelines and voter register to the nation’s 91 political parties, as part of its strategic plan of action for the general elections starting on February 16.

 

Mr. Festus Okoye, commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Voter Education and Publicity, said that the revised guidelines were ready and would be unveiled for the consideration of the political parties next week.

 

“We are going to officially release voter register to the political parties on Monday and we are also going to use the opportunity to hand over guidelines and regulations for the conduct of elections to them,” he said in an interview with THISDAY.

 

THISDAY had obtained a copy of the guidelines from a reliable source last Tuesday. The rules, among others, retains the use of smart card reader and the controversial incidence form.

 

The Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2018, which was vetoed four times by President Muhammadu Buhari, had sought to extensively reform the electoral process by incorporating mandatory use of smart card reader to the exclusion of incidence form as the mode of accreditation of voters.

 

The amendment bill also sought to clean up the results collation process, providing for electronic transmission of results from polling units to collation centres.

 

Following the presidential veto and expression of disappointment by opposition parties INEC National Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had contended that the extant law was sufficient to guarantee a transparent electoral regime, stating that whatever further reforms were needed to straighten out the process would be accommodated by the revised guidelines.

 

The revised rules obtained by THISDAY, left the opposition parties with little to cheer about as it retained the main features of the guidelines used to regulate the 2015 elections.

 

The electoral body stated categorically that the regulations and guidelines supersede all other regulations or guidelines on the conduct of elections issued by the commission and shall remain in force until replaced by new regulations or amendments supported by a Decision Extract of the Commission or an official gazette.

 

It said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) herein referred to as “the Commission” issues the following Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of Elections (general elections, by-elections, re-run elections and supplementary elections). These regulations and guidelines are issued as a Decision Extract of the Commission of the 21st day of the month of December 2018.”

 

The regulations and guidelines, it said, would apply to the conduct of elections to the office of the President and Vice President; Governor and Deputy Governor; National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives); State Houses of Assembly; Chairmen and Vice – Chairmen of FCT Area Councils; and Councillors of FCT Area Councils legislatures.

 

The electoral umpire said that voting in any election to which the regulations and guidelines apply would take place at polling units and voting points.

 

It added that in the case of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), voting would take place at Polling Units (PU), Voting Points and Voting Point Settlements (VPS).

 

INEC explained that Voting Points (VPs) are created out of Polling Units based on multiples of 500 and a maximum of 750 registered voters or as may otherwise be determined by the commission.

 

It also noted that Voting Point Settlement (VPS) might be created by the commission to facilitate access to voters in new settlements not currently served by a PU, stressing that where a VPS is created, it shall be treated as a Polling Unit.

 

On accreditation of voters on election day, INEC states in Clause 8(b) that; “No person shall be allowed to vote at any Polling Unit/Voting Point Settlement/ Voting Point other than the one at which he/her name appears in the Register of Voters and he/she presents his/her permanent voter card to be verified by the Smart Card Reader, or as otherwise determined by the commission.

 

It stated further, “10(a) In accordance with Section 49 (2) of the Electoral Act, a person intending to vote shall be verified to be the same person on the Register of Voters by use of the Smart Card Reader (SCR) in the manner prescribed in these regulations and guidelines.”

 

It warned, “Any poll official who violates the provision of Clause 10 (a) shall be deemed to be guilty of an offense and shall be liable to prosecution,” adding, “The accreditation process shall comprise reading of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and authentication of the voter’s fingerprint using the Smart Card Reader; checking of the Register of Voters and inking of the cuticle of the specified finger of the voter.”

 

The guidelines in Clause 11(b) retains the use of incidence form, stating, “Where a voter’s PVC is read but his/her fingerprint is not authenticated, the APO I shall refer the voter to the APO II who shall: (i) request the voter to thumbprint the appropriate box in the Register of Voters; (ii) request the voter to provide his/her phone number in the appropriate box in the Register of Voters; (iii) continue with the accreditation of the voter; and (iv) refer the voter to the PO or APO (VP) for issuance of ballot paper (s).”

 

It added, “Where a voter’s PVC is read but the name of the voter is not on the Register of Voters, APO I shall refer the voter to the PO or APO (VP) who shall issue a Tendered Ballot (TB) to the voter.”

 

It said, “In the event that the PVC fails to be read by the Smart Card Reader, the APO I shall refer the voter to the Presiding officer or APO (VP) as the case may be, who shall request the voter: (i) To thumbprint in the appropriate box in the Register of Voters; (ii) Provide his/her phone number in appropriate box on the Register of Voters if available; and (iii) Thereafter refer the voter to the PO for the issuance of Tendered Ballot.”

 

The guidelines also made provision for possible failure of the Smart Card Reader, stating in Clause 13(a) that, if it fails a replacement has to be procured, and where that is not achieved by 2p.m, polling would have to be postponed till the next day for a functional card reader to be provided.

 

On the use of Cell phone on election day and as part of effort aimed at curbing vote buying, INEC in Clause 11A(iv) said that the polling officer would request the voter to remove his/her cell phone or any photographic device before proceeding to voting cubicle.

 

INEC also made it clear in the regulations and guidelines that a Polling Agent who aids and abets election malpractices at a Polling Unit or Collation Centre would be disqualified and on the instruction of the Poll Official/Collation Official would be removed from the Polling Unit/Collation Centre and shall be liable to prosecution.

 

 

 


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Konga Unveils ‘All in All, Everything ×2’ Campaign, Offering Month-Long Discounts Across Product Categories

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Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce giant, has announced the launch of its highly anticipated ‘All in All, Everything ×2 – Category Month’ campaign.. This month-long shopping festival, running from September 1 to September 31, offers customers unprecedented discounts across a vast range of products.

The campaign is strategically designed to empower households and businesses by providing a golden opportunity to enjoy massive savings from globally renowned brands across diverse product categories.

The core of the “Category Month” campaign lies in its dynamic, week-by-week approach. Each week, Konga will spotlight a specific category, delivering targeted discounts that excite and engage shoppers.. For instance, the first week is set to focus on the Home and Kitchen category, presenting customers with a chance to upgrade their living spaces and culinary tools at unbeatable prices. This phased approach allows shoppers to plan purchases and shop intentionally throughout the month.

This strategic campaign is made possible through robust partnerships with top brands from around the world. These collaborations enable Konga to not only offer substantial price cuts but also guarantee the authenticity and quality that shoppers have come to expect from Konga. The synergy between Konga’s expansive platform and these global powerhouses ensures exceptional value while reinforcing Konga’s reputation as a trusted source for premium goods at affordable prices.

Over the course of the month, shoppers will enjoy exciting discounts across categories, including Home and Kitchen, Electronics, BHPC/Konga Fashion, Power and Automobile, Phones and Tablets, Computing and Accessories, Drinks and Groceries, and Baby, Kids and Toys. Konga’s “Category Month” has something for everyone.

In addition to the incredible deals, the campaign is bolstered by Konga’s efficient logistics infrastructure, offering customers unparalleled convenience. Customers in select locations can leverage KongaNow, the company’s express delivery service, with guaranteed delivery within one to six hours on eligible items. This fast and reliable delivery ensures shoppers can enjoy their purchases almost immediately.

Industry watchers have hailed Konga’s innovative campaigns as a catalyst for driving consumer confidence in online shopping, while also giving partner brands unmatched visibility.. The Category Month campaign further strengthens Konga’s commitment to enabling a vibrant digital marketplace where value, affordability, and trust intersect seamlessly.

The Category Month campaign is a strategic effort to enrich the lives of its customers by making high-quality products more accessible. Customers are encouraged to visit the Konga website to explore all the offers and take full advantage of ‘All in All, Everything ×2 – Category Month’.


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Firm Warns of Phishing Through Fake University Login Pages Targeting Academia

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As the new international academic year begins, Kaspersky has detected a wave of phishing webpages targeting college and university students as well as professors. Attackers are deploying fake login portals that mimic official university websites, tricking users into entering credentials which can lead to stolen data or a complete loss of access to their university accounts.

Links to these phishing portals are either distributed in emails or appear in web search results when looking for academic institutions’ login pages.

The fraudulent portals closely replicate the branding and design of legitimate university systems. Students of multiple academic institutions across different regions have been targeted, including in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region.

If users enter their credentials on these fake academic portals, cybercriminals can steal sensitive data such as login details which grant access to university accounts containing personal information, academic records, and financial data. Attackers may also change the passwords, blocking students and professors from critical resources like course materials, email, or payment systems. Compromised accounts can be used to send phishing emails to peers, spreading the attack within university networks.

“Colleges and universities are vulnerable due to their reliance on digital platforms and the high volume of users accessing systems during the international back-to-school rush.

These fake login portals can appear convincing, exploiting the trust that students and professors place in their university systems. We’re urging the academic community to stay vigilant and double check the web addresses of their educational institutions’ login pages to avoid losing data,” commented Olga Altukhova, Senior Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky.

To stay safe against education fraud, Kaspersky recommends the following:

  • Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Activate MFA wherever possible, adding an extra layer of security to your online accounts. Use a reliable password manager that doesn’t just store your passwords but also generates one-time passwords for 2FA automatically.
  • Use a reliable security solution for comprehensive protection from a wide range of threats, such as  Kaspersky Premium.
  • Stay skeptical: Exercise caution when encountering “too good to be true” offers, especially if they require payments or personal information upfront.
  • Verify the source: Thoroughly research any scholarships, giveaways, or offers that come your way. Look for official contact details and confirm legitimacy before taking any action.
  • Secure personal information: Avoid sharing sensitive data online unless you’re absolutely certain about the legitimacy of the request.
  • Use trusted sources: Stick to official school websites, recognised scholarship platforms, and reputable retailers when making payments or providing personal information.

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FG Shuts Down over 13.5m Social Media Accounts for Alleged Policy Violations

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Federal government has confirmed the closure of 13,597,057 social media accounts over harmful content and breaches of the country’s digital code of practice.

FG Shuts Down over 13.5m Social Media Accounts for Alleged Policy Violations

The figure was contained in the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report, submitted by major technology firms including Google, Microsoft, and TikTok.

The report outlined efforts made by online platforms to curb offensive content and strengthen user protection.

The compliance framework, introduced in 2022 and jointly enforced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), required platforms to address user complaints and remove content that violates community guidelines or national regulations.

According to the latest report, social media platforms collectively deleted 58,909,112 posts flagged as offensive within the year.

Authorities also recorded 754,629 user complaints, while 420,439 pieces of content were reinstated following successful appeals.

In a statement issued by Hadiza Umar, spokesperson, NITDA, commended global platforms for what she described as “continued compliance” with Nigeria’s Code of Practice. She noted that the submission of the annual reports demonstrates a shared commitment to creating a safer digital environment.

“The compliance reports provide valuable insights into the platforms’ efforts to address user safety concerns in line with the Code of Practice and their community guidelines,” Umar said.

“We remain committed to working with industry players, civil society, and regulatory partners to strengthen user safety measures, enhance digital literacy, and promote trust and transparency in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.”

The government said the monitoring exercise underscores its drive to ensure that Nigeria’s growing digital space remains secure, responsible, and free from harmful content.


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