Professor Attahiru Jega
The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday assured that the 2015 polls would be better than the 2011 elections.
Speaking in Abuja when he received the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria management team led by its Director-General, Dr. Samson Shuaibu, chairman of the commission; Prof. Attahiru Jega called on stakeholders to support the commission in its determination to conduct a free, fair and credible elections in 2015.
The INEC boss also promised that the Commission was committed to a thorough voter education and public enlightenment before the 2015 elections.
He said, “We in INEC are aware of the enormous responsibilities that have been placed in our hands to produce a framework and deepen democracy in our country. We have been doing our best in that regard. We have benefited tremendously from the participation of all stakeholders, and their assistance was responsible for the achievements recorded in the 2011 elections.
“Since the 2011 elections, we have been doing our best to fine-tune the procedures to engage all the stakeholders and ensure that we keep on improving the process. Our determination is to ensure that the 2015 elections remain better than that of 2011 elections.”
He said, “The success of credible election is not that of INEC alone but by and large the work of all citizens who are enlightened, mobilised and who discharge their civil duties and responsibilities in the electoral process. The citizens have to be sensitised, educated and have to be mobilised for them to discharge that civic responsibilities. We all have a responsibility to work together.
“Nigeria is blessed with media organisations that are professional, competent and patriotic. They have been contributing very positively to not only promoting national unity and development, but also promoting the need for democracy and good governance in our country.”
While responding, Shuaibu said the corporation had converted its Short Wave Channel to educational service channel, which would be of immense value to the INEC voter education programme.
He said, “No other media can do it better than FRCN. We decided to pay you a courtesy visit because of your commitment to organising a free, fair and credible election in Nigeria and to explore areas of synergy and collaboration. Credibility is of paramount interest in global electoral matters. Unequivocally, your legacies will remain for posterity.”
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