THE President-elect, retired Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the arrangements made for the conduct of the state elections on Saturday.
Buhari made the commendation after being accredited with his wife, Aisha, in Sarki-yara ward in Daura, Katsina State, at 8:27 a.m. for the governorship and state House of Assembly polls.
The couple was accredited at Kofar-baru polling unit by INEC officials in few seconds using the Smart Card Reader.
Shortly after the accreditation, Buhari commended INEC for making the card readers more efficient for the election and distributing election materials in time.
‘’From what I heard over the radio this morning, INEC has distributed election materials to polling units all over the federation so as to avoid what happened during the last elections,’’ he said.
Election materials were distributed to most of the polling units before 8 a.m.
Voters were seen moving to their polling centres as early as 7 a.m. in many areas visited.
Also yesterday, President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, commended INEC and security operatives for the orderly conduct of the 2015 Governorship and States Assembly elections so far.
Senator Mark however reiterated the need for candidates and political parties to allow the wishes of the electorate prevail saying ” it is the only way to avoid rancour and acrimony in the polity”.
Speaking to newsmen in Otukpo Ward 1, of Benue State after casting his vote along with his Wife, Helen, Senator Mark noted that there is much improvement in the conduct of the Governorship and State Assembly elections as against the last elections.
On the issue of security, the Senate President explained that the government is concerned about the safety of all citizens; adding, “there are enough measures in place to ensure adequate safety of lives and property. I am very certain that with all these arrangements on ground, there will be no security breech anywhere.
“Elections are designed for the electorate to express their wishes and elect leaders of their choice .No one should forced against his or her wish.”
“People should be allowed to exercise their civic rights. Our elections should be free, fair and credible at all levels.” Senator Mark stressed.
He urged all citizens to be agent of peace even after the elections in order to move the nation forward
President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari
