INEC card reader
The INEC card reader is a portable electronic voting authentication device configured to read only the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/the-card-reader-controversy/204238/|title=The Card Reader Controversy, Articles - THISDAY LIVE|work=thisdaylive.com|access-date=2015-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329094736/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/the-card-reader-controversy/204238/|archive-date=2015-03-29|url-status=dead}}
The card reader was designed for the accreditation process (authentication of eligible voters before voting).{{cite web|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/03/mock-poll-exposes-card-readers-flaws/|title=INEC Mock poll exposes Card Readers' flaws - Vanguard News|work=Vanguard News}} The machine was configured to read only the PVCs of a particular polling unit and can only work on election day.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/mixed-results-trail-inec-s-mock-trial-of-card-readers/203569/|title=Mixed Results Trail INEC's Mock Trial of Card Readers, Articles - THISDAY LIVE|work=thisdaylive.com|access-date=2015-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402163636/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/mixed-results-trail-inec-s-mock-trial-of-card-readers/203569/|archive-date=2015-04-02|url-status=dead}}
Operation
The device uses a cryptographic technology with an ultra-low power consumption and processing frequency of 1.2 GHz and uses Android 4.0.0{{cite web|url=http://leadership.ng/news/419134/card-reader-is-configured-to-work-only-on-election-days-Paschal|title=Card Reader Is Configured To Work Only On Election Days – Paschal |author=Leadership Newspaper|date=21 March 2015|work=Nigerian News from Leadership News}}
It is positioned by its operators (usually trained INEC officials) to read the embedded chip on the Personal Voter Card (PVC).{{clarify|date=January 2019}} This card is placed into the device, which then displays the voter's details. The voter places their thumb on the device, and their identity is confirmed through Fingerprint authentication.{{cite web|url=http://www.channelstv.com/2015/01/30/smart-card-reader-configured-work-particular-polling-unit-inec/|title=Smart Card Reader Configured To Work At Particular Polling Unit - INEC - Channels Television|work=Channels Television}} It usually takes about 10 to 20 seconds to validate a voter.{{cite web|url=http://newtelegraphonline.com/the-constitutionality-or-otherwise-of-using-electronic-card-reader-in-the-2015-general-elections-2/|title=New Telegraph – The constitutionality or otherwise of using electronic card reader in the 2015 general elections (2)|author=Our Correspondent|work=newtelegraphonline.com|access-date=2015-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402205118/http://newtelegraphonline.com/the-constitutionality-or-otherwise-of-using-electronic-card-reader-in-the-2015-general-elections-2/|archive-date=2015-04-02|url-status=dead}}
On completion of accreditation process, a "Close V" key is used to complete the accreditation process and the total number of voters accredited can be previewed using a "Query" key. Afterwards, the result may be forwarded to INEC using the "Communication" key.{{cite web|url=http://thenationonlineng.net/new/inecs-card-readers-test-run-largely-successful-nationwide/|title=INEC's card readers test-run largely successful nationwide|author=Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja; Jide Orintunsin Minna; Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki; Kolade Adeyemi, Kano; Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi; Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja; Nwanosike Onu, Awka; Shola O’Neil and Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba; Precious Dikewoha and Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt; Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti; Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo|work=The Nation}}
The card reader was first used for Nigeria's presidential election held on March 28, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/03/card-readers-how-abuja-court-aborted-last-minute-move-to-stop-%E2%80%8Eelection/|title=Card Readers: How Abuja court aborted last minute move to stop election|work=Vanguard News}}{{cite web|url=http://www.punchng.com/news/we-support-inec-to-use-card-reader-us/|title=We support Inec to use card reader|work=The Punch News|accessdate=29 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112330/http://www.punchng.com/news/we-support-inec-to-use-card-reader-us/|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=dead}}