Abuja, July 28, 2010 (NAN) INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega says the commission is set to ensure the voters’ register for the forthcoming election passes credibility test.
Speaking at an interactive session with editors on Wednesday in Abuja, Jega said that there were favourable indications from the executive and the legislature of willingness to assist INEC in its task.
``We have very tight schedule for both producing a credible voters’ roll and conducting the 2011 elections in January. It is a Herculean task to achieve both goals with the available time.
``If the law changes to give us more time, it would be better, but let me assure you that we are determined to succeed if we have the necessary funds on time,’’ he said.
He said that the commission proposed to conclude with the voters’ register on Nov. 9, adding that there should be time to prepare the budget, identify equipment and manufacturers, procure materials as well as to train personnel.
``The last week of October and the first week of November should be for registration while Dec. 9 should be for the necessary clean-up.
``We need time and resources for a successful exercise because with time without resources, time is wasted,’’ Jega said.
Jega explained that the existing number of the 120,000 polling units would not be tampered with as such a move would be ``politically volatile’’, but added that the number would be verified.
He said that constituency delimitation could only be embarked upon after the 2011 general elections. (NAN)
HKO/IA/BP
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