As the accusation and counteraccusation fireworks between the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on chances of ruining the efficiency and normal performance speed of INEC Card Reader for rescheduled Saturday election rages, an Indian Jammer technology expert in Delhi, has spoken to Business Hilights on how Jammers work.
According to him, “As soon as a Jammer is programmed to target a device within its radius, the functionality of the device becomes frustratingly slow but it cannot go off within the period of the jam”.
“For example, if it will ordinarily take a Card Reader about 15 to 45 seconds to read and accredit a Permanent Voters Card (PVC), under a jamming influence, the time lag may stretch to over five to 15 minutes which definitely will defeat the total aim of a free and fair election because so many will be disenfranchised within the period.
Business Hilights recalls that it is important to note that the card reader is a technological device setup to authenticate and verify on Election Day a permanent voter card issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The device uses a cryptographic technology that has ultra-low power consumption, with a single core frequency of 1.2K and an Android DTT Operating System.
In other words, the card reader is designed to read information contained in the embedded chip of the permanent voters card issued by INEC to verify the authenticity of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and also carry out a verification of the intending voter by matching the biometrics obtained from the voter on the spot with the ones stored on the Card Reader.
The ability of the card reader machine to perform the aforementioned functions as well as keeping a tally of the total numbers of voters accredited at the polling unit and forwarding the information to a central database server over a Global System on Mobile Communications defines its efficiency and performance.
The device is known for its reliability in protecting the integrity and credibility of the election to audit results from polling units across the country and to ensure accountability which are the basis of democracy.
In an exclusive interview conducted via Skype with the Indian expert in Jammer technology, the tactician who pleaded anonymity explained that “A mobile jammer is an instrument used to deny any target device or cell phones from the receiving signal. The mobile jammer device broadcasts the signal of the same frequency to the GSM modem. The jamming is said to be successful when the mobile phone or target device signals are disabled in a location if the mobile jammer is enabled.
“For example, the AVA205 is a High Power Mobile Signal Jammer that blocks CDMA, GSM, DCS, 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi & Bluetooth signals (6 Bands). It is the best Mobile Jammer to block all your Mobile and Wi-Fi Signals including 4G. Mobile and Wi-Fi Signal Jammer (AVA205) is capable of blocking all the Network Signals in range of 1-50 meters.
“This portable jammer has been designed for flexible and versatile use. Integrated in a water-tight carrying case it can be used everywhere. A strong disturbing signal of 80W over a wave band of 20 up to 1000MHz guarantees the protection against eavesdropping devices. The RF power emission of this jammer disturbs all receivers immediately. The function of the jammer`s signal is defined as Complete Sweep Modulation Signal (SCMS).
“A broadband antenna for the total frequency range is also included in delivery. When the system is put into operation the antenna will be set up and connected to the antenna socket of the PKI 6620 by means of a cable. A built-in rechargeable battery guarantees the necessary power supply. It is also possible to connect the system directly to 115/230VAC
While stressing that there is Jammer Detector capable of frustrating any identified jamming frequency in a defined area, the Indian who revealed that Jammer technologies are everywhere in Asia and parts of Europe today.
He disclosed that “Every Interception and Monitoring Systems is driven by GPS/GSM Technology. Jammer is an interception system and there are many of them depending on your target device for disruption”.
Continuing, he said “For example there are 10 kW Jammer on Shortwave, Audio Recorder Jammer, GSM Jammer, Autarkic Mobile Jamming System, Camouflaged Jammer, Car Lock Jammer, Cellular Phone Detector with Jammer, Cellular Phone Jammer mainly deployed by the Police and Military Services”.
“There is also Dualband Phone Jammer, Duplicator for Hand-Held Transmitter, EOD Convoy Jammer, GPS Jammer, GPS Pocket Jammer, GPS Pocket Jammer, High Power Broadcasting Jammer, High Power Convoy Jammer, and Intelligent Cellular Jammer with Detector, Jammer for Mains Circuits and others.
“Whereas there is Jammer in a Suitcase, some jammers are distant-controlled as there are Long Distance Jammer 1 – 6 GHz, Long Distance Jammer 20 MHz – 2.5 GHz, Long Distance Jammer 6 – 18 GHz.
“There are Mobile Jamming Systems, Mobile Phone and WiFi Jammer, Modular Car Jammer System with Digital Programming, Pocket Jammer, Portable 3G, WiFi, BT Jamming System, Portable Bluetooth, WiFi, Video Jammer, Portable Cellular Phone Jammer, Portable GSM Jamming System, Portable High Power Jammer in a Suitcase, Portable Jammer for Video Transmission Systems,” the international expert revealed.
Business Hilights recalls that the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, had traded tackles on alleged manipulation of card readers deployed to some geo-political zones for Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.
Atiku alleged at the 84th emergency meeting of the PDP National Executive Council in Abuja, that the APC has brought in China-trained operatives who will slow down card readers in PDP strongholds but will hasten the speed of card readers in Buhari’s strongholds; to allow for more voters.
According to him, “We have just discovered that the APC has hired many of their operatives and have taken them to China to be trained, and they have been so trained. They are back, and they are equipped with devices that are meant to slow or fasten our card readers
“So, if you are in the South South, South East and North Central, you are likely to get your card readers to be slowed by those APC operatives.
“If you are from the North West or North East, the tendency is that they will use these machines to fast-track the readings of your card readers so that many of their supporters can vote while disenfranchising the other three zones,” Atiku alleged.
However, in a swift response, the APC dismissed Atiku’s allegation as “it is illogical that a party that is in a contest with clear, superior numerical support would shut down communication on election day.”
In a statement signed by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Tuesday, the party alleged that the PDP “has no plans to win the elections through legitimate votes, but through illegally-procured votes.
“Again, in the aftermath of the configured card readers recently recovered from PDP agents in some states, Atiku has gone to town with face-saving conspiracies that the APC has imported slow-working card readers from China.
“Atiku also alleged of a plan to shut down communication on election day. Will the communication shutdown affect only the PDP while leaving APC supporters and agents? Nigerians can see through the infantile lies.
“Nigerians will recall that the APC had earlier reported the PDP’s plot before last Saturday’s postponed elections. The recent arrest of several armed PDP political thugs and recovery of INEC card readers and arms from PDP agents, in some states, points directly to PDP’s plan; as revealed by a security report,” APC further claimed.
