2015 elections won’t be perfect – Jega

The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, has said the commission cannot organise a perfect election in 2015.

He spoke when the United States Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. James Enwhistle paid him a courtesy visit at the INEC’s headquarters in Abuja.
“We are not promising a perfect election in 2015, but we are confident that we will do our best,” he said, but added that the conduct of the election would be better than than the 2011 polls.

He further stated that the commission would embark on a retreat this week during which the commissioners would prepare: time-table for the 2015 polls; budget for the continuous voter registration to be conducted later this year and address other issues that are relevant to the forth-coming polls.

According to Jega, the commission had taken steps to ensure credible polls.

He cited improved staff training and re-organisation as some of the steps taken by INEC to ensure that the 2015 elections were free and fair.

Said he:”We have also embarked on strategic planning and improved our relationship with our development partners.

He also disclosed that the time- table for the election would be released this week.

Lagos Voters will drop in 2015- INEC

Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Lagos State, on Wednesday, said the number of registered voters in Lagos would drop.
He said this is as a result of double registration by some of the electorates.

``The figure for Lagos is going to drop because double registration will be removed and when we display, people will now be able to see whether their names are still there or not,’’ he said.

He also called on the politicians and parties to mobilise the voters, arguing that it would not solely be the responsibility of INEC to remove apathy as witnessed in Anambra election.

``The contestants and the parties are the ones looking for votes, so they should also be involved in mobilising people for election,’’ he said.

He added that the commission would not stagger the 2015 general elections to avoid the problems encountered in Anambra.

``We are not staggering elections in 2015; having problems in Anambra does not mean that we will not be able to handle the 36 states of the federation plus the FCT.

``In fact, it is going to be a lot easier for us. But, I want to say that I see the problem associated with Anambra election as a blessing in disguise because we were thinking that it was going to be error-proof.

``And that would have made us to be a little bit complacent, thinking that everything is okay.

``We see this as an eye opener and it has compelled us to crosscheck our crossed T's and dotted I's again.

``Beyond that, we need to also point out that there is the problem of the people, who constitute electorate, being nonchalant about checking their names during display.’’

Ogunmola however said ``most of the funds we demand for election are spent on training and educating our officers on how to enlighten the people’’.

``That is why I do not blame people that are complaining about the amount INEC estimated for 2015 election because they have little knowledge about its operations.’’ he said.