NIGERIA'S NEWS UPDATE : We’ve no hidden agenda –Jega

We’ve no hidden agenda –Jega

INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega
| credits: File copy

Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has denied

the commission has hidden agenda in the conduct of the Edo Edo State governorship election.

Allegations of vote-rigging plans have marked the election scheduled for Saturday, with frontline parties – the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party – trading accusations.

And some of the civil society groups in the state, who were denied accreditation to monitor the poll, have added fuel to the election fire by claiming the denial is a ploy to rig the election.

But Jega dismissed the allegations in Benin on Tuesday, insisting that INEC would conduct a transparent election.

He said while of the affected organizations did not apply others did not meet the criteria to monitor the poll.

Jega said, “We have done everything possible as per the established rules and regulations to properly accredit observers for the election in Edo State.

“We used the same procedure we used to accredit observers in all the elections we have organised, including the April 2011 elections. We applied those criteria rigorously. We normally advertise, and people are given time within which to apply.

“Anybody who did not apply within the time allocated would not be considered. And that is what has happened in this regard. We did not deliberately exclude anybody.

“If any anybody has not been accredited to observe the Edo election, as indeed all other elections, it is because they have not satisfied the requirements for accreditation for the election.”

He added, “We have heard stories being bandied about saying that we did not accredit any Edo civil society organisation. That is false. That is not true.

“We have accredited many civil society organisations in Edo. But some did not meet the requirement. It is either they did not apply on time or they did not meet the criteria we set out.

“Anybody who did not comply with those criteria will not be accredited. It is not the first time we are doing it. We only accredit those who meet the criteria we have set for the election.”