The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, gave the assurance in a paper he presented at a two-day conference on ‘INEC and The 2015 General Elections: Expectations, Prospects and Challenges’ held in Kano.
Reports indicate that the Conference was organised by the Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
Jega said preparations for the elections were currently being finalised to ensure that the process was conducted in accordance with best practices.
‘’We give assurance that preparations by INEC for the 2015 general elections are being finalised.
‘’Learning from the experiences of 2011, especially regarding the need for early preparations, the commission has undertaken the task of fundamental restructuring of its bureaucracy.
According to him, the commission has established new policies to guide its work in addition to embarking on far-reaching planning of its operations through a strategic plan.
‘’As far as INEC is concerned, the 2015 general elections will see Nigeria take its rightful place in the global comity of nations where the electoral democracy is being consolidated,’’ Jega said.
He enjoined all stakeholders to contribute their quota in order to bring about and ensure free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in the country.
According to him, the call is necessary in view of the fact that all stakeholders have significant roles to play in conducting the elections.
In his remark, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said the conference was intended to enrich the on-going conversation on the general elections by refocusing the discussion to the core issues of necessity and requirements for credible elections.
‘’You will agree with me that any contribution that will be geared toward making the elections peaceful and successful deserves to be taken seriously,’’ Rasheed said.
ATTAIRU JEGA, INEC CHAIRMAN
