The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has told lawmakers he could not fully guarantee that the 2015 general elections will hold on rescheduled dates in March and April.
At a meeting held with Senators earlier today, Prof. Jega stated that he could not fully commit himself to the “sanctity” of March 28 and April 11 – dates for the rescheduled Nigeria’s general elections.
He further said the electoral commission could not fully guarantee aspects of the poll that are beyond its control.
Prof. Jega met with the lawmakers to clarify the decision to postpone the polls from February.
Under the Nigerian law, a further 6 week extension of the elections is possible, a decision opposed by many Nigerians, the international community and the main opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.
INEC had stated that the postponement were necessary for security reasons, as military heads had warned against moving ahead with the lection to allow it fully focus on fighting the terror group, Boko Haram.
But the opposition party APC said the delay was purported by President Goodluck Jonathan, to save him and ruling party from losing the elections to the APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.
Since announcing the new dates almost two weeks ago, the commission has declined to confirm that there will be no further postponement beyond March 28 and April 11, for presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly polls respectively.
Responding to a question asked by Senate Minority Leader, George Akume on the sanctity of the new dates, on Wednesday, Prof. Jega replied, it was difficult for him to respond, stressing he could only give assurances over aspects within the control of INEC.
“That’s a very difficult question to answer. I have said not everything that has to do with the conduct of successful election is within the control of INEC,” Prof. Jega said.
On issue of use of card readers
Prof. Jega also mentioned that the commission will move ahead with its plan to deploy card readers for the elections.
There have been some issues, mainly from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, about the plan as Nigerian law does not allow electronic voting.
Today at the meeting, while PDP Senators opposed the plan, their APC counterparts welcomed it.
A PDP Senator from Bayelsa State, Heineken Lokpobri, and his counterpart Odion Ugbesa, from Edo State, argued against the use of electronic card readers for the elections, stressing it would be illegal.
In his response, Prof. Jega streesed that card readers would only be used for accreditation not actual voting. He said there was no Nigerian law prohibiting the use of electronic devices for accreditation.
“Card reader is used only for accreditation not voting. Voting can be defined as dropping of ballot paper into ballot box. Accreditation is essential for integrity of the election,” he said.
“Nothing in the constitution prohibits the use electronic device in the process of accreditation. Any individual that is not satisfied can go to court. We have solid ground on that,” he said.
He further added that the card readers would successively curb electoral malpractices, as cloned cards would be detected.
Prof. Jega stated that INEC will perform a mock test on the card readers.
He said some mock tests had already been taken in the United States, and will now be tested in the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“The electronic card reader has passed in all the 13 test categories conducted in terms of its durability and versatility,” he said.
Prof. Jega reiterated that the postponement of the general elections will enable INEC to have a flawless, near-perfect elections.
Soon INEC National Commissioners are to visit state offices to conduct evaluation tests and comprehensively determine the level of preparation in the election.
Mr Jega said a meeting with the inter-agency committee on security will hold a meeting to discuss security on the Election Day.
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