INEC Chairman says politicians’ actions are threatening peaceful polls

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega has said that some politicians in the country are threatening the conduct of peaceful elections with their actions.

The INEC Chairman stated this on Thursday, March 12 during a meeting with representatives of registered political parties in Abuja.

Jega urged all candidates to “live up to the spirit and letter of the peace accord” they had signed adding that it was “unfortunate that because of the actions of some political parties with some candidates, a lot of tension has already been raised.”

He also stated that “the attitude of candidates may affect whether we will have peaceful elections.”

The INEC Chairman also said that the postponement of the elections had afforded the commission more time to prepare.

“We believe we are adequately prepared for the elections as we seize the six weeks extension to make supplementary preparations, which we believe will add value to the elections,” Jega said.

“We believe that the period of extension has offered us an opportunity to further perfect the electoral process for the delivery of free, fair, credible and peaceful elections to the satisfaction of yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians,” he added.

Nigeria’s general elections were postponed in February after security agencies said that they would be too busy fighting the Boko Haram insurgency to provide protection during the polls.