Jega Outlines 4 Challenges To Successful 2015 Elections

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Attahiru Jega, on Thursday listed four major challenges that could hinder the success of the 2015 general elections.

He said this in a presentation at the ongoing All Nigerian Editors Conference in Katsina.

Mr. Jega, who was represented by Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, the commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, said that such challenges included insecurity, lack of adequate funding, attitude of the political class and inactive citizenry.

Mr. Jega said that the delay in the amendment to the legal framework such as the constitution and the electoral law were other challenges facing the commission.

The chairman said that the prosecution of electoral offenders also remained a major sticking point in the work of the commission. He said the commission was committed to carrying out the completion of the review of electoral constituencies and polling units.

He, however, said that the constraints of time had made it unlikely for the exercise to be concluded before the 2015 elections.

The INEC chairman called on government and stakeholders to cooperate with the commission for a successful poll.

He assured that the commission would consolidate on the gains of the 2011 elections and prevent the recurrence of its weaknesses.

“To achieve this, we have given ourselves three focal points comprising structure, policy and plan”, he said.

Mr. Jega said that the commission was fully prepared for the conduct of the 2015 elections, adding that its programmes were strictly being implemented.

(NAN)