The Independent National Electoral Commission will take a final decision on
whether to shift the dates for the elections or not in Abuja on Saturday
(today).
But before the decision is taken, the National Chairman of the Commission,
Prof. Attahiru Jega, will have consultative meetings with chairmen and
secretaries of all registered political parties.
He is also expected to meet with the Resident Electoral Commissioners on the
same day, Saturday, February 7.
On Thursday, Jega, was invited to brief the National Council of States on
the preparedness of INEC to conduct the 2015 general elections.
The INEC boss has been under tremendous pressure to shift the polls. Some
political parties and other stakeholders have been calling for the postponement
of the election.
Jega made a presentation titled, “Preparations for the 2015 General Elections:
Progress Report.
The National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dansuki and Armed Services
Chiefs also briefed the Council on the current security situation.
The Chief Press Secretary to Jega, Mr. Kayode Idowu, confirmed this in a
statement he signed in Abuja on Friday.
He said, “As a follow-up to that (Council of State) meeting, the
Commission has scheduled a consultative meeting with chairmen and secretaries
of all registered political parties, as well as a meeting with the RECs on
Saturday, February 7, 2015.
“Thereafter, the Commission will address a press conference to brief the
nation on its decision with regard to whether or not the general elections will
hold as currently scheduled.”
Our correspondent gathered that the dates for the elections might be shifted.
Security agencies were said to have written to Jega, saying the security
situation in the country does not warrant holding the election as scheduled.
Meanwhile, Jega, in his presentation to the Council of State said the NSA
asked for a six-week postponement of the election.
His presentation read in part, “Although our state of preparedness may not
be 100 per cent and although a bit of more time of additional preparation
would enable us to improve and perfect the current level of preparedness, we
believe that we’re ready for the elections as planned.
“However, we also believe that it is necessary to take into context the things
outside the control of the commission, such as: attitude of politicians, political
parties, candidates and voters; and significantly, security for election personnel,
materials and voters, especially in areas under insurgency, which only the
appropriate authorities can definitely speak on.
“No matter the extent of our readiness, if there are serious security
concerns, the successful conduct of free, fair, credible and peaceful elections
would be greatly jeopardised.
“INEC has been working with these authorities, especially under the inter-
agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, but our concerns have not
been assuaged.
“Yesterday, for example, we received a letter from the office of the National
Security Adviser informing us of recent developments in four of the North-
East states, states that safety and security cannot be guaranteed during the
proposed election period, adducing reasons why this is so, and strongly
advising that INEC considers rescheduling the elections by at least six weeks,
within which time span it is hoped to restore sufficient normalcy for elections
to hold.
“This is a new development that INEC cannot certainly ignore or take
lightly.”
Jega said the conduct of the elections could not be based on the electoral
body’s preparation alone, adding that some factors outside the control of the
body should be considered before holding the polls.
He said, “In determining whether or not INEC is adequately prepared to
conduct the February 2015 elections as scheduled, we should separate what is
under the control of the commission and what is outside its control.
“For the things under the commission’s control, our accomplishments are to
such a degree that we can conduct the election, in spite of the identifiable
challenges.
“Compared with the 2011 general elections, for instance, our systems are
definitely more robust now. Among others, we have a gently improved
registered voters, having removed over four million multiple registrants; voters
will use PVCs; and accreditation using card readers will reduce the likelihood
of fraud.”
According to him, only relevant authorities, not the commission, can speak on
the issues.
Jega said, “No matter the extent of our readiness, if there are serious
security concerns, the successful conduct of free, fair, credible and peaceful
elections would be greatly jeopardised.
“INEC has been working with these authorities, especially under the Inter-
Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, but our concerns have
not been assuaged.”
