2015: Don urges INEC to reappraise logistics

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Prof. Victor Ekhator of the Public Administration Department, University of Abuja, on Thursday urged INEC to reappraise its plans toward the 2015 elections, to enable it to deliver on its mandate.

Ekhator told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that INEC needed to take the necessary steps to conduct free, fair and credible polls.

“INEC needs to deploy more logistics, employ experts, improve on its voter registration process and ensure that it utilises knowledgeable and capable ad hoc staff during elections, “ he said.

According to him, such experts can help to “plan, design, organise and coordinate men and material resources to assist INEC organise improved elections”.

Ekhator said: “It is expedient on INEC to reappraise its logistics toward the 2015 elections.”
This, he said, became necessary against the backdrop of the inconclusive Nov.16, Anambra governorship polls.

He also called on the electoral body to do more on publicity about its activities, to raise the hopes of Nigerians on its ability to conduct acceptable election.

“Many people are in doubt about INEC’s abilities to organise credible elections, especially that the body had admitted facing some critical challenges.

Similarly, Prof. Friday Iyoha, also of Public Administration, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo, called on INEC to improve on its performance in future elections.

“The last Saturday’s (Nov. 16) Anambra governorship election exposed the electoral body’s challenges and shortcomings,” he said.

He, however, applauded the election umpire for being sincere with certain factors which it said were hampering its effective operations.

Iyoha said: “The electoral body also needs to re-evaluate its policy-making mechanisms ahead of any election.

“It should also intensify its drive to actively engage rural dwellers and civil society groups in its mandate to ensure credible elections. “

The professor also urged INEC to give its staff more training on election management, to enhance their performance.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had identified poor attitude of the political class, paucity of funds and inadequate security personnel for election monitoring, as some of the challenges facing the organisation.

He said this in Abuja on Monday in a lecture entitled, “INEC preparation for the 2015 general elections: prospects and challenges”. (NAN)

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