Jega: Preparation for 2015 Election Has Started

Prof. Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman

Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, Tuesday said that the Commission has begun preparation for 2015 general election.

Jega disclosed this at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja when he received the final report of the European Union (EU) observation team at the April general election. ‘”The work for next election started on Monday”’ he said pointing out that the report of the EU observation team will be very handy in helping the Commission correct their mistakes.

The INEC boss said the goal of the Commission is to establish an institution for election capacity.

He said the assistance of international partners have helped the Commission greatly in improving on their flaws.

Releasing the final report the European Union (EU) election observer mission to the Nigeria’s 2011 general elections yesterday expressed a desire to see further reform of the country’s electoral process to ensure an independent appointment of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and members of the Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC).

Speaking while presenting the mission’s final findings and recommendations on the April elections in Abuja, the EU Chief Observer, Mr. Alojz Peterle said EU is of the view that despite its shortcomings, the outcome of the elections enjoyed a good measure of credibility and is an improvement over previous polls.

He further expressed the expectation of the EU that the successful conclusion of the elections would serve to erase the notion that Nigeria cannot leave in unity following the controversies that trailed the general election.

Alojz described as a positive development the fact that Federal Government was able to implement some of the reforms in the electoral process such as areas bordering on the financial autonomy of INEC and provisions for non-partisanship of the commission’s leadership.

On the whole, the Mission noted that the legal framework for the April general elections provided an adequate basis for the conduct democratic elections in accordance with international principles.

It said the Presidential polls were conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner with enthusiastic voters filling out to cast their votes without much hindrance.

However, the EU Chief Observer regretted the failure of government to implement some aspects of the Electoral Reform Committee’s recommendations dealing with independent appointment of INEC chairman, the Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) and the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission.

He also faulted the inability of the authorities to bring into force a Political Parties Registration and Regulatory Commission as well as allow the participation of independent candidates in the April elections.

Some of the shortcomings reported by EU in its findings that there was incidence of under-aged voting in the northern part of the country, while members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) involved in the elections were pressurised by politicians to allow these under-aged voters to vote.

According to the report, the polls also witnessed cases of intimidation of voters and observers in some parts of the country during the just concluded election.