Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has assured Nigerians of credible elections that will meet their aspiration.
This is just as a group under the aegis of Middle Belt Concerned Youths kicked against the use of permanent voter cards (PVCs) and smart card readers in the forthcoming elections.
Jega spoke yesterday at a meeting with resident electoral commissioners (RECs) in Abuja.
The meeting, apparently aimed at reviewing preparations for the forthcoming elections, Jega said would afford INEC the opportunity to examine existing gaps and other things to do in the next few weeks.
According to him, the meeting was meant to have a final review for the preparation of the elections, adding that it would review outstanding matters relating to the distribution of PVCs and the mock demonstration of card readers.
“Our best will be good enough in terms of meeting the aspirations of Nigerians for free, fair elections. The commission is doing its best to ensure free fair and credible polls,” he said.
He said the commission needs to do everything possible to ensure near perfection and called for the support of all stakeholders.
He noted that the commission will engage elections process within the legal frame work and the laid down code of conduct.
Jega charged candidates to respect the peace accord signed both at the Federal and state levels.
He underscored the need to ensure peaceful elections, saying peaceful elections will promote stability and development for the country.
However, the Middle Belt Concerned Youths, who protested at INEC office at about 10.14am, were prevented from entering by armed policemen and other security agents who cordoned off the place.
Although the security personnel prevented the protesters from accessing the entrance of INEC office, they were received by an Assistant Director Security, Victor Egbo, who collected their protest letter with a promise to deliver same to the commission chairman.
The youths said they were at INEC office to register their grievances against the use of the PVCs and card readers because of what they said were the failures recorded during the recent mock exercise conducted last Saturday by INEC.
President of the group, Comrade Yunusa Yusuf, said ”judging from what transpired during the exercise, it has been proven that batteries of these card readers do not function for more than three hours. The question, therefore, is what happens if the battery fails during the election proper, especially in the rural areas?” [Mynewswatchtimesng]
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