By Ahmed Abubakar
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has tasked Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), on the need to remain focused, non-partisan by providing a level playing field for all actors in the political arena as the 2015 general elections draws closer.
The INEC Chairman spoke at the quarterly meeting with RECs, held at the Commission’s headquarters yesterday. He noted that as the elections draw closer the political atmosphere will be agog with activities, hence the need for the RECs to remain focused.
Jega said: “All eyes are on us as we prepare for 2015 elections and we have made commitment to the Nigerian people that 2015 general elections will be much better than 2011.”
“As the 2015 elections draw closer, we have the enormous responsibility to deliver on the promise of free fair and credible elections, no doubt, the closer we get, the more heated the political atmosphere becomes” he said.
He pointed out that whatever the commission does in its resolve to deepen democracy, it cannot satisfy everybody, saying “some will be happy, some will be angry, some will praise us and some will condemn us”.
He stressed the need for compliance with permissible laws and standards in giving Nigerians the best elections in the country’s history: “the most important thing is for us to satisfy our conscience that whatever we do, we should do it in full compliance with the legal framework and the best expected standards of ethical conduct” he said.
