Jega Promises Free and Fair Elections in 2015

 Prof. Attahiru Jega

By Chuks Okocha

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has promised to conduct free and credible elections in 2015.

Jega therefore called for the collaboration of all stakeholders in the country, saying credible election is the responsibility of all Nigerians.

INEC also attributed the successes recorded in the 2011 general election to the collaboration of stakeholders in the country's electoral process, stating that the commission was committed to ensuring that the next elections remained much better and credible than that of 2011.

The INEC boss disclosed this when he received in audience, the top management team of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria  (FRCN) led by its acting Director-General, Dr. Samson Shuaibu, to explore areas of synergy and collaboration in the next election.

According to the INEC chairman, the commission was committed to a thorough voter's education and public enlightenment before the 2015 elections.

Jega told the FRCN top management team that: "We in INEC are aware of the enormous responsibilities that have been placed on our hands to produce a framework and deepen democracy in our country. We have been doing our best in that regard and we have benefited tremendously from the participation of all stakeholders and it is the partnership of all stakeholders with INEC that was responsible for the achievements recorded in the 2011 elections.

"Since the 2011 elections, we have been doing our best to fine tune the procedures to engage all the stakeholders and ensure that we keep on improving the process. Our determination is to ensure that the 2015 elections remain much better than that of 2011," Jega said.

To achieve a credible election, the INEC chairman said the commission was committed to strengthening its relationship with all the stakeholders especially with media organisations in order to guarantee success.

Accordingly, Jega said: “The success of credible election is not that of INEC alone but, by and large, the work of all citizens who are enlightened, mobilised and who discharge their civil responsibilities in the electoral process. The citizens have to be sensitised, educated and have to be mobilised to discharge that civic responsibility. We all have a responsibility to work together.

"Nigeria is blessed with media organisations that are professional, competent and patriotic."