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>Solid Foundation laid for Future elections!-Iwu
A voter casting his ballot at the just concluded presidential Election
Even though the 2007 general elections cannot be said to be perfect, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is nonetheless proud that it has laid a solid foundation for future elections.
Professor Maurice Iwu, INEC Chairman, stated this yesterday while declaring the presidential election of last week Saturday.
The INEC Chairman said that while the Commission conceded that the elections were not perfect, the Commission was satisfied that it was free and fair.
He attributed the difficulties the Commission faced to the numerous reforms it introduced which even though were for the nation’s electoral good, were stiffly resisted by some members of the political class. Said Professor Iwu, “The 2007 election is far from perfect. The Commission concedes that.
But we are proud of the polls. We are also proud of the fact that this election has been free and fair.” In assessing the 2007 general elections, Professor Iwu added, Nigerians must not lose sight of the numerous difficulties and hindrances in the political environment and the very tense and hostile atmosphere in which the Commission had to operate.
He recalled that there were Nigerians who never wanted the elections to hold in the first instance.
This is not to add, Professor Iwu further added, the fact that at the very last minute, the Commission had to change course and at short notice. “Many people”, Professor Iwu said, “believed that it was impossible to print 65 million ballot papers in three days. But we did it. To God be the glory.”
By Rose Oriaran
Dated 25/04/2007
