The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, on Tuesday gave an indication that the commission might rely on the existing voter register for the conduct of the 2011 elections.
While swearing-in 16 out of the 19 resident electoral commissioners at INEC Headquarters in Abuja, Jega said that one of the priorities of the electoral body was the display of the existing voter register across the country.
He told RECs that the success of the exercise depended on them and therefore warned them not to receive any form of assistance from state governments without clearance from INEC headquarters in Abuja.
The INEC boss said, “As we move towards the general elections, one of the most important priorities facing us now is to display the existing voter register.
“The success of this exercise would depend on you. You are, therefore, requested to make a serious assessment of your operational readiness and capabilities at the state and local government offices of INEC for this exercise, and for subsequent ones as we move towards the elections.”
Jega described the swearing in of RECs as a one of the most important milestones in the “very serious obligation” towards repositioning INEC to deliver free, fair, and credible elections in 2011 and beyond.
To drive home this point, he said “The commission strongly believes that credible elections are not only feasible, but that it is incumbent upon all of us to strive to do our very best towards this objective.
“As you (RECs) receive your postings and go to your respective states, it is imperative that you bear this in mind.”
The INEC chairman also used the occasion to warn RECs to be wary of gifts from state government because reports reaching him about the relationship between RECs and state governments were not in the best interest of the commission.
He said, “The practice by some RECs in the recent past of going cap-in-hand to state governments for assistance is to be discouraged because it is capable of undermining your independence.
“RECs are advised to get in touch with the National Headquarters to address whatever problems they may face. Even in instances where assistance is freely offered as is done to other federal agencies, approval for accepting such assistance must be obtained from the commission.
“You will agree with me that such measures are essential in ensuring public confidence in your work.
“Part of the efforts toward repositioning INEC is a reflection on the past practices so as to learn from them.”
The warning came on the heels of revelations by the immediate past governor of Cross Rivers State, Mr. Donald Duke, that a system which leaves RECs at the mercy of state governments would surely lead to election rigging.
The INEC chairman appealed to all members of staff of the commission to join hands with him to ensure that the commission satisfied the yearnings of Nigerians for credible elections.
Just before the RECs inauguration, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, had said that INEC would not organise a fresh voter registration exercise.
Adeleke, who also said that the commission would not use electronic machines for the 2011 poll, added that there was no time for a fresh voter registration to be conducted.
He told journalists in Ede, Osun State on Tuesday, that INEC would, however, revise the existing register.
The Senate committee chairman, who is the first civilian governor of Osun State, said the acquisition of electronic machines for the general elections would take between six and eight months.
Adeleke also explained that the 2006 Electoral Act had been amended to mete out a two- year jail term for election riggers.
Disclosing that the amended Electoral Act had been rechristened 2010 Electoral Act of Nigeria, he added that any candidate found to have perpertrated electoral violence or other irregularities would be barred from contesting election for a decade.
He revealed that Section 34, sub-section 2 of the 2006 electoral Act, which permitted political parties to substitute candidates 60 days to an election, was amended on the grounds that the section was exploited in the past by politicians to manipulate the selection of candidates after party primaries.
Adeleke said, ”The Senate and the INEC found out that most of the election dispute matters that ensued after the 2007 general elections had to do with internal democracy within the political parties. The selection of many of their candidates was fraudulent and that was why we altered Section 34 of the 2006 Electoral Act.
“This is to promote internal democracy within political parties. INEC and the Senate Committee on electoral commission would monitor the primary elections of the political parties, to ensure that they comply with the new Electoral Act. INEC and the Senate will democratise the selection of political parties‘ candidates.”
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