Jega: Kogi governorship election was credible

[DT]

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, said yesterday in Abuja that last Saturday's governorship election in Kogi was credible.

Jega told newsmen that whoever had evidence of rigging in the election should make it available to the Election Petitions Tribunal. He admitted that though the election was not perfect, "INEC made efforts to ensure its officials were credible enough and could account for result sheets given to them."

"The election though not perfect but was free and fair, so whoever has any evidence of rigging should go to the tribunal," he said.

However, reports issued by Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), an election monitoring group, said voting started late in most of the polling units in the state, with materials arriving late in several units.

The report said that there was general voter apathy during the election resulting in about 40 per cent voter turnout.

"There were also logistic challenges which led to the late commencement of accreditation and voting in the majority of polling stations across the state.

"Inadequate deployment of INEC and ad hoc staff in polling units was also observed. Working tools and kits such as tables and chairs were not seen in some polling units," it added.

The report urged INEC to take recommendations of stakeholders in the election seriously to avoid a repeat of the mistakes.

"It is hoped that INEC and other stakeholders in the democratic process in Nigeria will, severally and collectively, work to address the challenges faced in the conduct of elections.

"This is with a view to increasing electoral legitimacy and credibility in our quest for lasting democracy," the report added. (NAN)

DailyTrust