Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday pledged to improve on the nation’s electoral process. This was as he appreciated all who contributed in making the conduct of last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections a success.
Speaking while presenting certificate of return to the President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari, Jega explained that it was imperative to keep improving the nation’s electoral process for the integrity of the governance process and for deepening democracy in the country.
He went on to declare that, “We pledge to all Nigerians that as a commission, we will continuously do our best under all circumstances to ensure free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.”
“We have done our best under all circumstances and we have realized that a large number of Nigerians utilized the opportunity and came out to exercise their franchise”.
While commending all Nigerians, particularly the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, for contributing in one way or the other towards the smooth conduct of the elections, the INEC boss urged them to do same in the remaining elections expected to hod on April 11.
“We would like to use this opportunity to express our appreciation for all Nigerians for their support and that they have been giving to our officials to see the successful conduct of these elections.
“I would use this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of a number of stakeholders to the successful conduct of the presidential elections, particularly; we will like to acknowledge the contributions of our permanent staff, who worked tirelessly under very difficult challenges to discharge their jobs creditably.
“I would express our appreciation to the Director General of the NYSC and our young men and women on national service, who have worked also to ensure credibility of this exercise,” he said.
Jega further disclosed that the commission has used many people as ad-hoc staff, including about 700 people, who are expected to work for the remaining elections scheduled for April 11.
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