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CANADIAN
HIGH COMMISSIONER VISITS INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Guidelines
on Political Party Finances has been described as one of
the best instruments that have the potential of increasing
women participation in the political development of Nigeria.
The Canadian High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. David Angell
stated this when he paid a courtesy call on the Chairman
of INEC, Professor Maurice Iwu in his office. He said that
women in Nigeria have already carved a niche for themselves
and must be given all encouragement to participate in electoral
democracy.
Mr. Angell identified various women holding prominent offices,
including ministerial positions, as role models that Nigerian
women must emulate within the political space which INEC
has now provided through its ceilings on contribution to
campaign funds by individual elective office seekers and
other checks on political party finances.
The High Commissioner said that Nigeria has a leadership
role to maintain in Africa, especially in the execution
of the Pan African Reforms, adding that the world will maintain
interest in how the elections of 2007 are conducted. He
said that INEC has exhibited the right approach in the way
it has been handling the difficulties associated with election
management in a large country with heterogeneous communities.
In his brief, the Chairman of INEC Professor Maurice Iwu
told the visiting envoy that INEC recognizes the need to
give all Nigerians a level playing ground. He observed that
the area of concern to the Commission was election violence,
which puts off good people from participating in politics,
women inclusive.
Professor Iwu said all the changes which INEC had introduced
will change the attitude of Nigerians to elections adding
that most of the changes came as suggestions from individuals
in the polity during meetings of the Stakeholders Election
Forum which the Commission has institutionalized.
The INEC Chairman had earlier thanked the Canadian government
for all its assistance, especially in the significant contribution
made to the development of a strategic plan which the Commission
is currently implementing.
Also today, INEC Chairman Professor Maurice Iwu has described
the political party as the only vehicle through which national
goals can be achieved.
He stated this when a Political Association led by former
Presidential candidate of the All Peoples Party, Chief Olu
Falae, came to the Commission to collect application for
registration.
Professor Iwu said INEC would register as many parties
that send in applications provided they met the required
standard.
Earlier, Chief Olu Falae said the team was at the Commission
to collect a form to register a party to be known as Democratic
Peoples Alliance.
Pastor Segun Adeogun
Director Public Affairs
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