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| Prof Jega |
Chairman of the
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has
promised to make the November 16 gubernatorial election in Anambra State, “the
best so far”, at least to justify the commission’s determined efforts at
reforming the electoral system. Jega made the commitment yesterday at a meeting
he held with stakeholders on preparations towards the election.
The meeting was
attended by chairmen of political parties, including national chairman of
Labour Party, LP, Mr. Dan Wanyanwu and Chief Victor Umeh of All Progressives
Grand Alliance, APGA.
While stressing INEC’s
preparedness to deliver free, fair and credible governorship election in
Anambra, Jega however, noted that “INEC cannot succeed without the cooperation
and partnership of all stakeholders, especially political parties, their
candidates and the people of Anambra State.”
To this end, Jega
charged all contending parties in the election, not to renege on the
“revalidation” and renewal of the code of conduct for political parties, which
took place a few days ago in Minna, the Niger State capital.
“All the key aspects
of the document (code of conduct) must be demonstrably put into practice:
respectable and responsible conduct by all parties, candidates and their
supporters,” Jega admonished.
In a related
development, INEC has promised to update the electoral register in Anambra, by
embarking on continuous voters’ registration between August 19 and 25.
This, according to
Jega, “will give an opportunity for all those who have become 18 years of age
since the last registration in 2011,to register adding: “It is in this context
that we have made a review of the register of voters for Anambra state a key
item on the agenda for today’s meeting.”
On the importance of a
credible voters’ register to transparency in election, Jega said: “As we are
all aware, the credibility of the Register of Voters goes a long way to assure
the credibility of the elections. In this regard, we have left no stone
unturned in order to clean up and have a very credible register for Anambra
State.
“All stakeholders must
engage in the electoral process in strict compliance with the rules of the
game, with decorum, civility, tolerance and mutual respect for one another.
Campaigns, voting must be conducted decently, lawfully, peacefully in
accordance with the best standards and practices as well as democratic norms,”
Jega added.
national mirror
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