INEC to commence voter registration in May – Jega

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Ahead of 2015 general elections, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega has disclosed that the commission is set to commence continuous voter registration exercise in May.

Professor Jega, who made this disclosure in Kaduna yesterday, during the opening ceremony of INEC/State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC)’s Experience Sharing conference, organised by United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), said more polling units would be created in next year’s general election to decongest large polling units.

According to him, “The continuous registration exercise is to ensure those that, have turned 18 years between 2011 and now are registered

before the 2015 general elections. Also those that, were 18 and above but were unable to register for one reason or the other will be given opportunity to register”.

He however reiterated the imperative of close synergy between INEC and SIEC, saying that, the conference was timely towards ensuring free, fair, peaceful and credible elections in the future.

Jega also called on the state governments to ensure absolute independence of SIECs to ensure credible elections at the grass root level, arguing that, there cannot be credible polls at national level when the foundation is faulty.

He therefore expressed optimism that, the 2015 general elections would be the most credible in the history of Nigeria, considering the INEC’s level of preparedness.

The participants at the conference were all INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioners in the 36 states and Abuja, Commissioners from INEC Headquarters and top management staff, SIECs Chairmen and other top management staff.