The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mahmood Yakubu

  • List of presidential candidates unbelievable – Banda

    The number of presidential candidates in Saturday’s poll is unbelievable, Former President of Zambia, Rupia Banda has said.

    72 candidates will be vying for the seat of the president of the country. Likewise, 109 seat in the upper chamber and 360 in the lower chamber are up for grab in the Saturday elections.

    Banda is the head of the The number of presidential candidates in Saturday’s poll is unbelievable, Former President of Zambia, Rupia Banda has said., (EISA) which has since deployed 30 international observers for the general elections. He spoke when he led a delegation of EISA to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

    The former president noted that Nigeria was too important to the West African sub-region, the entire continent and the entire international community which informed the special interest in her electoral process.

    He said the agenda of EISA was to observe the process and make appropriate recommendations that would further deepen the democratic process in Nigeria.

    He said: “The importance of Nigeria to Africa and indeed to the world cannot be overstated so we are very honoured to be here in order to observe and to see how the elections will take place.

    “A team of about 30 people will be deployed to various parts of this great nation. We look forward to observe this successful and peaceful election as it takes place this weekend.

    Read Also: Buhari’s address to the nation

    “We know how complex the size of the country and the size of the population of Nigeria is. Therefore we wish Nigerian people under your leadership, Mr. Chairman very successful elections.

    “We wish you well on what you have put in with the election population. The many Presidential Candidates is unbelievable. In our country if I tell the people of Zambia how many members on the list of the Presidential election is almost the number of the whole Parliament in our country so we know how complicated it is.”

    In his response, Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, assured them of adequate security in the course of their assignment in the country.

    He called on the team to be free to offer criticisms when necessary as he noted that EISA’s recommendations after the election would go a long way to deepen the electoral process in the country.

    Yakubu also Commended EISA for supporting democracy and the democratization process not only in Nigeria but other African countries.

    “It is once again our pleasure in Nigeria as we conduct election this weekend to welcome yet another team for peer review, this time around from the Continent led by such an eminent person as His Excellency Rupia Banda.

    “We are always encouraged when people of your standing in the Continent come and observe what we do in Nigeria. We look forward to your important recommendations while assuring you that at the end of the day, we will give consideration to your reports and the recommendations in strengthening our processes and procedures.

    “EISA has been supporting democracy and the democratization process not only in Nigeria but elsewhere as well. It has led successful missions to Sierra Leone and Liberia in July 2017 ahead of their elections and EISA provided resource persons.

    “We look forward to your report and recommendations after the election. It will help us to strengthen the process in Nigeria.

    As we open the polling units on Saturday, feel free to move around and make your observations available to us. We are open to criticisms. All the observers are our guest, we assure you of adequate security.“

  • Breaking: APC members in Rivers block INEC headquarters

    … insist electoral commission must obey Court of Appeal ruling to relist party, candidates

     

    Thousands of protesting members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, from 8 a.m. today, blocked the main entrance of Rivers headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, insisting that the electoral commission must obey the ruling of Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt and relist the main opposition party in the state (APC) and its candidates.

    The aggrieved protesters, who were armed with placards bearing various inscriptions and chanting: “No APC, no elections in Rivers State,” were led by the party’s candidate for Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Oji Ngofa, who is Nigeria’s Ambassador to The Netherlands.

    INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Edwin Enabor, addressed the protesters and he informed them that the Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in Rivers, Mr. Obo Effanga, had not got to the office.

    Ngofa, however, insisted that he and other APC members would not leave, until their protest letter was personally handed over to the REC of INEC in Rivers, for onward transmission to the National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

    The protesters were still in front of INEC office, with the gate still blocked, as at press time.

  • Polls: INEC briefs domestic, foreign observers

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) this morning briefed accredited domestic and foreign observers on the preparation of the commission ahead of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly polls.

    196 observers have been accredited for the elections.

    You are observers and not monitors, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu told the observes.

    Read Also; Why we’re adopting simultaneous accreditation, voting by INEC boss

    He also assured them of their security, saying that necessary security arrangement has been put in place in all the states they will be deployed.

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu is also expected to brief the observer on the security arrangement.

    Details shortly…

  • Breaking: We’ll not postpone polls, INEC assures

    May extend PVC collection deadline

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has foreclosed any possibility of postponing the forthcoming general elections.

    INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu assured Nigerians and the international community that no election will be postponed.

    There are pending legal tussles from the primaries organised by political parties suggesting that INEC may have to postpone some elections.

    But Yakubu noted that the commission will not be swayed into postponing any of the polls.

    He disclosed this on Thursday at stakeholders meeting organised by INEC.

    He noted that the commission has been dragged to court for 640 times and received 540 applications for the certified true copy of documents.

    Yakubu promised the commission under him would continue to obey all court orders, assuring that it would not be deterred in the discharge of its functions.

    “Court cases arising from the conduct of congress and primaries have risen to 640. INEC has been dragged to court 640 times, we have received 540 requests for certified true copy of documents. We have received 186 petitions over the conduct of congresses and party primaries.

    “It is d policy of INEC to obey court orders. People ask if the judgements from these courts are decided close to elections if INEC will postpone the elections, INEC will not postpone any elections but we will make contingency arrangements in case some of the orders come close to elections,” he said.

    The INEC chairman also assured the stakeholders that he would “never fail Nigeria and Nigerians.”

    He stated that smart card reader would be deployed in the 2019 elections while expressing surprise that many Nigerians complained of not collecting their PVCs at the centres.

    Yakubu reiterated that the commission printed the total of 14.2 million PVCs after voters registration adding that those cards were ready for collection.

    He therefore said the commission would meet with a view to possibly reviewing the deadline for collection.

    “Let me assure the nation and the stakeholders that smart card reader will be deployed in the 2019 elections. The next big issue for us is the voter register and the availability of the PVC.

    “We have heard so many complaints by citizens that they have been to collection centers but we are surprised to hear that in some centres they were told to come back that the cards were not printed.

    “We have 14.2 million new voters; the commission printed 14.2 million cards. The commission is going to meet today (Thursday) and where it is necessary, we will review the arrangements for the collection of PVC.”

    He urged the transport companies to ensure that polling units receive the electoral materials at 7:30 am while voting should commence at 8am.

    Read Also: ‘INEC should postpone Rivers elections’

    According the INEC chairman, priority has been given to the elderly, visibly pregnant women and the physically challenged persons to vote at the polling units or voting points.

    The INEC chairman reiterated that while magnifying glasses and brails have been provided for the visually impaired to aid them to vote, form EC30 containing bold instructions on how the deaf should cast their votes are posted at every polling units as well as the voting points.

    He also stated that the list of returning officers from the nation’s tertiary institutions would be vetted to ensure that partisan members of academic staff were not included.

    The INEC boss said his commission had approved 148 observer groups comprising 119 domestic observer groups and 29 foreign observer groups.

    He explained that internally displaced persons in other states would only be allowed to vote in the presidential election.

    Also speaking on the preparations for the elections, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, noted that the security agency has identifed flashpoint areas in the country.

    He assured all that the police will bring such places to order.

    The IG said no VIP would be allowed to move around with police escort on election days.

    He warned that any policeman who contravened the rule would be arrested.

    “No escort of VIPs on election day, any policeman who contravenes this order would be arrested,” the IGP said

  • INEC releases final list of Gov, Assembly candidates Thursday

    The final list of candidates for Governorship, State Assembly and FCT Area Council elections will be published on Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has said.

    Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the list will be published in all the State offices nationwide and the Commission’s website.

    Yakubu spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the Swearing -in of a new Resident Electoral Commission (REC) Elder Monday Udo Tom from Akwa Ibom State.

    This brings the total number of RECs nationwide to 36 out of 37 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The Commission is awaiting the confirmation and appointment of the nominee for Osun State.

    He also revealed the commission has implemented ten out of the fourteen activities outlined in the commission’s scheduled programs of actives.

    “Your appointment is coming just 16 days to the 2019 General Elections. We have already implemented 10 out of the 14 activities in our timetable and schedule of activities.

    Read Also: INEC worries over conflicting judgments, orders

    “The final list of candidates for Governorship, State Assembly and FCT Area Council elections will be published in all our State offices nationwide and the Commission’s website, tomorrow Thursday 31st January 2019.”

    Congratulating the new REC, Yakubu informed him that though he will be posted to a state within his geo-political zone, he can however be posted anywhere in the country.

    He said: “Furthermore, as a REC, you can be posted to any part of the country at any time as the exigencies of service require. For now, you will be posted to a State within your geo-political zone but you will never serve in you State of origin throughout your tenure. In line with this principle, you are hereby deployed to Bayelsa State.”

    The new REC holds a BSc. degree in Biological Science and a Master’s degree in Microbiology.

    He served as lecturer and civil servant in Akwa Ibom State.

  • 2019: INEC raises concern over conflicting judgment, orders

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over the conflicting judgments and consequential orders emanating from the Court of laws ahead of the forthcoming 2019 general polls.

    The inconsistency, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu pointed out is putting the commission in a difficult situation.

    In the last one week, there has been two different court pronouncement on Zamafara, one coming from a High Court in Zamafara while an Abuja High Court also issued a different order concerning INEC decision excluding All Progressive Congress (APC) from Zamfara State from the coming elections as a result of not conducting their primaries within the time lag.

    Already the commission has been dragged into 396 pre-election cases pending court cases as a result of the fallout of the party primaries.

    Besides, the commission has so far received 302 requests for certified true copies of documents from primaries monitored, which serves as a prelude for more legal actions.

    This is aside the 52 petitions on protests from aggrieved party aspirants received by the commission, which all have financial implication to INEC.

    INEC has fixed 16 February, 2019 for the presidential and National Assembly poll while 2nd of March has been slated for the governorship, state Assembly and council elections.

    Speaking yesterday at the workshop election petition for Justice and Judges, Yakubu noted the inevitability of disputes in the course of democratic elections.

    He  therefore explained that because democratic elections are adjudicated by the Judiciary, the commission has always been obeying court orders.

    He however expressed the concern of the commission regarding conflicting orders from the court.

    Yakubu said: For our part, there are two major areas of concern. First is the issue of conflicting judgements arising from pre-electlon and post-election cases. As a firm believer in the rule of law, the Commission always obeys court orders or, where it is considered necessary‘ appeals them In the interest of justice.

    “There have been over 1,200 cases involving the Commission since the 2015 General Elections and not in a single case has the Commission disobeyed a court order. However, conflicting judgements, especially by courts of co-ordinate jurisdiction at the High Court level, are putting the Commission in a very difficult posttion and creating uncertainty in the process.

    “The Court in one judicial division may order the Commission on a particular course of action only to be contradicted by another court of coordinate jurisdiction from another division or even within the same division on the same subject matter. Conflicting court orders are negatively affecting the consistency, neutrality, and public perception, not only of the Commission, but the judiciary as well. There is therefore the urgent need to address the issue of conflicting judgements in order to engender certainty in the electoral process.

    “Our second area of concern relates to the lack of consequential Orders by the Courts after making findings on an issue and stating the position. In such cases, the Commission is compelled to take a position relying on previous decisions of the Court on the subject. This as in some cases made the Commission appear inconsistent and has also led to protracted litigation. Closely related to this, is the issue of Orders to maintain the status quo by the Court without stating the exact status quo intended. This has given room to parties to misinterpret the order to suit their purpose, thereby knowingly causing confusion and controversy.”

    He however reassured Nigerians that “INEC will continue to do its best to bring about free, fair, credible and peaceful general elections in Nigeria this year. We therefore hope to continue to count on the support, cooperation and understanding of all towards attaining that objective. ”

    Read Also: INEC transfers Ekiti REC

    On the workshop, Yakubu said is coming at an auspicious time, barely two weeks to the 20l9 General Elections. There is no gain belaboring the obvious that elections in particular and democratic processes in general are governed by legislation.

    The inevitable disputes that arise in the course of democratic elections are adjudicated by the Judiciary. This means that there is no democracy without the rule of law and there is no rule of law without the Judiciary. It is for this reason that the independent National Electoral Commission (IN EC) considers this Workshop necessary in the best interest of our democracy.

    “The survival of our democratic process and the consolidation of the reforms aimed at entrenching stability and deepening democratic culture and ideals require the commitment of all stakeholders. To this end, as a critical stakeholder in the electoral process, this Workshop is significant to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for at least two reasons. First, it affords INEC a platform to further record its concerns about the adjudication of electoral disputes as we approach the 2019 General Elections. Secondly, to receive feedback from the sector that has reviewed our activities over the years with respect to the areas we need to d9 more in to facilitate the speedy and qualitative administration of justice which, from our study and analysis of previous Judgments, range from the prompt issuance of certified true copies of documents, quality and consistency of our representation, neutrality of the Commission, to making available to the Judiciary our manuals, guidelines and regulations made pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act.”

    In his remark, the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed stressed the need for the judiciary to be independent and neutral in the discharge of their responsibility.

    He also the warned judges on the need to avoid external influence from political parties.

    He said: “it is Important that the Judiciary must maintain absolute independence. Judges should handle election petitions without any external pressure or influence either by political parties stakeholders or economic interest groups.

    “The Judiciary must continue to take steps to ensure that It is not seen as being partisan but must always demonstrate manifest integrity in its adjudicatory processes. Consequently, Judicial officers serving on election petition tribunals must note that Judgments must not be ambiguous and should be devoid of any form of external Influence. Your Lordships should shun unnecessary associations with lawyers who may be acting as conduits for Politicians no matter how innocent they may be portrayed.

    “You must guard your integrity and the integrity of the Judiciary, by avondmg acts that will bring you under the disciplinary jurisdiction of the National Judicial Council, as It Will not hesitate to Wield the big stick of sanctions to any Judicial Officer who is found wanting in the discharge of his duties”

    He also added that judiciary will do its best to be conversant with the rules.

    “On our part the Judiciary will continue to do its best to ensure that Judicial Officers remain conversant with  the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and other relevant laws toward‘ ensuring efficiency and uniformity in the quality of Judicial decision,” he said

  • Buhari pleased with INEC’s preparation

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said he was impressed by preparations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the general elections.

    He spoke while receiving the EOM, led by the Chief Observer and member of the European Parliament, Maria Arena, at the State House, Abuja.

    The President said he was optimistic the electoral body would deliver on its mandate of a credible poll.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said he listened earlier to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, when he briefed the National Council of State.

    His words: “I am happy and impressed with the briefing he gave. I hope that the confidence he exuded and the intellect he brought to bear on the Report will be justified at the end of the day.”

    The President told the EU delegation that Nigeria had grown its electoral system incrementally, getting better year after year.

    “Having participated in elections four times in the past, I would say that since 2015, technology has helped the credibility of our elections,” he said.

    Buhari said that Nigeria with over 250 cultural groups across religions and ethnic groups, with each group canvassing for identity and primacy in the affairs of the nation, “patriotism demands that we identify the nation’s best interest and go with it.”

    Read Also: Buhari did not steal your money, lawmaker tells electorates

    He said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had the good sense of identifying the national interest to include security, peace and stability, improved economy, jobs creation and campaign against corruption.

    He noted the party was not wrong in 2015, and is not wrong going into the election this year with the same issues in its campaigns.

    The President thanked the delegation for taking interest in Nigeria’s elections.

    The EOM team, accompanied by Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, Head, European Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said that the EU had observed every election in Nigeria since 1999 and had been invited by INEC for the polls.

    The delegation promised impartiality and neutrality in the monitoring of the elections.

  • INEC uncovers plan to use food vendors for vote-buying

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it had uncovered plans by some political actors to use food vendors around polling units for vote-buying in the forthcoming general elections.

    Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this when he received a delegation European Union (EU) Observation Team, led by Chief Observer, Mrs Maria Arena, on a visit to INEC on Monday, in Abuja.

    Yakubu said that in INEC’s determination to improve elections and ensure that votes counted, the commission had taken steps to address the disturbing trend of vote-buying by politicians.

    He said that the steps included modification of the administration of polling units to make it difficult for voters to expose their marked ballot papers on day of election.

    He said that the commission had also introduced partial ban on the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices by voters while in the voting cubicles.

    “We are also introducing the rolling and flattening of ballot papers by voters on day of election.

    “We are training our election duty staff, in addition to voter education and sensitization, on this new innovation. We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the sanctity of the ballot.’’

    The chairman explained that political actors planned to use food vendors “around polling units with large voter populations as collection points for cash-for-votes as well as other forms of material inducement to voters on election day’’.

    “We are aware of this trick. It will not work,” he, however, said.

    Yakubu also denied the claim that INEC had outsourced the recruitment of election duty staff to partisan actors.

    He said that the Commission had established clear criteria for recruiting its ad hoc staff and Collation and Returning Officers, which, according to him, has been the practice over several electoral cycles.

    “In addition, there is a clearly established system of vetting all election duty staff before they are engaged.

    “Therefore, the claim that the Commission has outsourced the recruitment of election duty staff to partisan actors is the usual allegation on the eve of elections and should be disregarded.

    “With 25 days to the 2019 General Elections, the Commission’s attention is firmly focused on the conduct of credible elections. We will not be distracted into a fatuous debate.’’

    Yakubu stated that complaints arising from the collection of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were being addressed.

    “We are committed to ensuring that all voter cards are made available for collection by registered voters who should collect the cards in person.

    “There will be no collection by proxy.”

    Read Also: We are not under pressure to rig – INEC

    He said that the commission had enhanced the functionality of the Smart Card Reader that would be used for the elections.

    “Clause 10 of the Regulations and Guidelines recently released by the Commission make the use of Card Readers mandatory. It is an offence to accredit a voter by any other means.”

    Yakubu described the EU as one of the long-standing partners of INEC in deepening Nigeria’s electoral democracy, through the EU-Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN).

    “We have implemented all the recommendations made by the EU Mission in 2015 that are within the powers of the Commission to do.

    “These include simultaneous accreditation and voting system which we introduced on Jan. 9, 2016 and used it to seamlessly conduct off-season elections into 194 constituencies.

    “We have similarly introduced the continuous registration of voters. Over a period of 16 months, from April 27, 2017 to Aug. 3, 2018, over 14 million new voters were registered,” he said.

    He assured the EU that INEC preparation for the 2019 general election was on course.

    Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Arena, had said that EU would deploy 40 observers to all states of the federation during the elections.

    Arena added that the EU would also have its Parliamentary observation mission on ground during the exercise.

    “We will issue two preliminary reports after the elections. We will work strongly with all the stakeholders of this country.

    “We will also have the final reports two months after the elections, with recommendations.

    “We really appreciate the work that INEC has done with the previous recommendations after the 2015 elections,” Arena said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yakubu also received a delegation of the ECOWAS Observers Mission led by former Chairperson of Electoral Commission, Ghana, Ms Charlotte Osei.

    Osei said that the mission was to let INEC know that ECOWAS would be deploying long-term and short-term observer missions for the elections.

    She added that the mission would focus on legal, media, operations, gender and disabilities during the elections.

    NAN

  • Obasanjo’s allegation: We’re not under pressure to rig, says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is not under pressure to rig forthcoming elections.

    The electoral umpire also assured that its cooperation with security agencies will lead to a pleasant voting experience for Nigerians.

    The reaction came following allegations by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), would not be transparent in the forthcoming elections.

    Reacting to the allegations during a visit to the Ag. IGP Mohammed Adamu at the Force headquarters, the INEC Boss, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said: “This is to be expected in an election year when people make all sorts of insinuations but I want to tell you that we as a Commission have never been under any pressure to do what is wrong.

    Read Also: INEC concerned over unclaimed PVCs

    “We will never compromise our integrity to do what the law says that we shouldn’t and for the 2019 general elections, I want to assure and reassure Nigerians that votes and nothing but votes will count.

    “With this level of cooperation from the security agencies, I want to assure you that Nigerians will have a pleasant voting experience in 2019.“

  • 2019: We are good to go – INEC

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said that INEC is good to go as far as the 2019 general elections are concerned.

    Yakubu also reassured the international community and the country that the 2019 general elections will be credible, free, fair and transparent.

    He spoke on Wednesday when he received the delegation of the European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US)

    He also stressed that 2019 elections will be credible, as the commission will jealously guide the processes. Yakubu also assured Nigerians that the outcome of the polls will meet the expectations of all as all votes will count.

    “We are good to go for the 2019 general elections. We are aware that the election is going to be an intense media event but only that international community will also intensely watch the processes as they have always done and I want to assure you that we will not fail the international community and will not fail the nation. We are aware that the long term EU observation mission is on ground, and also the ECOWAS observation mission, so the international community is already in Nigeria for the elections.

    “2019 elections will be credible, we will jealously guide the processes, we will ensure that the processes lead to the outcome that all Nigerians expect. Nothing but free, fair, credible elections will be good enough for the commission,” he said.

    He also reiterated the assurance that “vote will count in 2029 general elections. We are ready for free, fair and transparent process such that will confirm the position of Nigeria in international community as a nation that conducts credible elections. 2015 is not a fluke, it was a product of deliberate planning and 2019 is going to be the same

    Yakubu who also briefed his guest on the preparation of the commission towards the elections said, “we are at the moment outing finishing touches to our preparation for the elections. The first election will hold on 16th February with the national elections, presidential and National Assembly and the second election will hold on the 2nd of March, which is the state elections. The governorship, state assembly and election into area councils in the Federal capital territory. All the heavy items for the elections are being procured in addition to ballot boxes, voting cubicles, replacement smart card readers. The permanent voter cards have also been delivered to the states for collection by citizens.”

    He also revealed that the commission is recruiting and will soon commence training for adhoc staff for the elections.

    Read Also: No voting with temporary voter card- INEC

    Speaking earlier, David Young, Charge D,Affairs of the US embassy in Abuja pointed to the expected neutrality of the security agencies during the elections.

    He stressed that they must stick to their role of protecting the electorates and ballot materials and avoid any form of interference with the voting process.

    “I would want express the concern that we have and that is the neutrality of the security services. For us it is very important in the ongoing season that the security services are very smart, provide security for the elections. Security in the safety of the process. It should be done in such a way that it does not interfere with people getting to the polls, poll watchers, civil society organization and other to have access to ensure the voting goes freely both in February 16th and March 2nd. This is something we have been deliberating strongly about. The neutrality of the security services is one is one of the very very important issues for credible elections,” he said.

    Young also spoke on the need for a better synergy among the three arms of government, saying that the executive, legislature and judiciary are crucial to democracy.

    He said, “I also want to say that we appreciate very much the important the role judiciary plays in Nigeria.”

    Stressing the collaborative role the legislature, executive and judiciary plays in democracy, Young therefore warned that there should be no interference with the role of judges and judiciary in democracy.

    He also stressed that the US is very supportive of Nigeria and is therefore looking forward to playing a supporting role as a fellow democratic partner.

    The EU Head of Delegation to Ketil Karlsen said the delegation was in INEC to receive briefing on the preparedness of the commission towards the forthcoming general polls.

    EU he said regards itself as good friend of the country and would do everything possible to support the success of the democratic process. He also noted that EU long term observe is already in the country.

    He also reiterated that EU does not have any preferred candidate or party or ideology in the elections, rather the interest of the delegation is in the conduct of free, far and transparent elections.

    He also noted that the success of the 2015 general poll in Nigeria has already set the benchmark in Africa and it is expected that the 2019 general elections will follow the same pattern.

    EU stressed that it will only partner with whosoever emerged from the polls.

    German Minister Counsellor/Deputy Head of Mission, Regine Hess urged all the stakeholders to ensure violence free elections come February and March polls.

    She also commended the peace committee, while urging the stakeholders to abide by the peace pact.

    The delegation also joined the commission in inaugurating the Election Monitoring Support Centre, where all the elections will be monitored. The office is essentially an ICT driven.