Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, yesterday visited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with a view to making good the federal government’s directive that the 2015 ballots papers and other sensitive electoral materials be printed in Nigeria. The visit is the first of its kind since the commission was established 15 years ago.
The CBN governor who was received in audience at the INEC headquarters by the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega informed that his visit was in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive that the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company be given the first choice of refusal before security printing materials like the ones for elections can be printed outside the country.
Emefiele pointed out that the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company was seeking a way through which it can work with INEC particularly in the area of security documents printing as regards the printing of documents for the coming elections in 2015.
According to the CBN boss, “Basically it is a business visit and I will crave your indulgence that we don’t stretch it just beyond just this business visit.
“We have come to collaborate with INEC to ensure that the objectives of ensuring that the printing of materials and transportation of materials from the printing press to the various voting centres are discussed, and we are seeking harmonious way of handling it,”. Emefiele added.
Although, INEC was not categorical in its response to the CBN, it however pledged its preparedness to explore ways to collaborate with the apex bank on the printing of electoral materials for the 2015 elections.
Addressing the CBN governor and his delegation Jega said, “I assure you that INEC is willing to discuss the proposal and will continue to explore more ways to collaborate with CBN and look at global picture in terms of what is best for the country.”
He pointed out that the CBN had been a strategic partner of INEC in ensuring free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria, emphasizing that since 2011, the CBN had provided services in term of securing sensitive election materials for the commission, even as he applauded the apex bank for its services.
His words, “INEC and CBN will continue to partner, and I hope that the interest of the larger society should be up most.”
Since the present democratic dispensation began in 1999, almost all the sensitive electoral materials, including the ballot papers have been printed outside Nigeria, most especially in South Africa.
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