LAGOS - SPURRED by the catalogue of criticisms trailing its 2015 elections time table, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday revealed that permanent voters' cards for 2015 general elections are ready and it would begin the distribution of same for Osun and Ekiti gubernatorial elections from February 25.
In an interactive section with Editors yesterday in Lagos, the INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega revealed that in line with constitutional provisions on conduct of elections, the commission has scheduled February 25 to March 12 to commence distribution of permanent voters cards for Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections and March 12 to 17 for the display of voters register for Osun governorship polls.
Represented by Dr Chris Iyimoga, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Publicity Committee, Jega said permanent voters cards for 2015 general elections are ready.
On why the polls would be staggered, he said holding all the elections in one day as earlier agreed will be too tasking, coupled with the high level of illiteracy among voters.
The key thing in any general elections is to have a credible election.
The commission called for active participation of the electorate saying that "Inactive citizenry participation in the preparations is also a problem. When the electorates don't participate in preparations for elections, it poses a challenge." It also canvassed that the electoral umpire should not be burdened with handling electoral offences.
We employed 15,000 people as staff but during elections, we deploy about 500,000 people," Jega said..
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