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FORMER PRESIDENT OF BOTSWANA COMMENDS INEC
The Former President of Botswana, Ketumile Masire has praised
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for
the robust preparation made towards the general elections
coming up in 2007.
The former President gave his kudos when he led a team
of Election Assessment Delegation of the National Democratic
Institute (NDI) to a courtesy call on the Chairman and members
of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
President Masire observed that with the programme and preparations
made as explained by the INEC Chairman, he was sure of a
credible and transparent election in Nigeria next year.
Earlier, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral
Commission, Professor Maurice Iwu had highlighted the preparedness
of the Commission for the 2007 elections. Professor Iwu
told the team that the Commission had introduced a number
of innovations into the electoral process to ensure transparently
free, fair and credible elections.
INEC Chairman explained that INEC has implemented the strategic
plan resolved at the Commission’s retreats in 2004
in addition to the imputs from numerous reviews of previous
elections in the country by reviews of previous elections
in the country by seasoned professionals, adding that the
Commission has developed home grown solutions that meet
international standards in addressing the challenges of
the electoral process in Nigeria.
Professor Iwu further explained that the Commission, for
the first time, had recommended a ceiling for contributions
to campaign expenses by individuals and corporate organizations.
He disclosed that the Commission has established the Electoral
Institute of Nigeria, an institution where election officials
will be trained on election management.
Professor Iwu informed the NDI team that the Commission
has introduced Electronic Voting System (EVS), which comprised
of four components which are the Electronic Voters Register,
Electronic Authentication Process which will guarantee that
only the voter that registered is allowed to vote, the Electronic
Transmission of election results, and Electronic Voting
Machine, which he said was undergoing pilot study to determine
its suitability for use in future elections.
Professor Iwu noted the cordial relationship between the
Commission and the 35 political parties adding that the
Commission had regular meetings with the political parties
to share ideas on the political process.
Professor Iwu said that the recently concluded revalidation
of voters register was for only the Federal Capital Territory
adding that with the success of the exercise at the FCT,
the Commission was now poised to start the exercise in the
remaining 36 states of the country. He disclosed that after
the revalidation exercise throughout the country, the Commission
would arrange for continuous registration of voters in INEC
offices in the Local Government Areas.
In his response, the leader of the visiting NDI team, former
President of Botswana expressed satisfaction with the preparations
so far made by the Commission adding that with what is observed
by the team, INEC was well prepared for the 2007 election.
The former Botswana President, Ketumile Masire noted that
INEC deserved commendation for introducing a number of robust
innovations into the electoral process and expressed optimism
for the 2007 election.
THE National Democratic Institute was in Nigeria to observe
the level of preparedness of INEC for 2007 elections.
Pastor Segun Adeogun
Director Public Affairs
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