Imported User:
Prof. Attahiru Jega, the Chairman, Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on Friday suspended the ongoing voters’ registration in Edo.
He made this known at a press briefing after a four-hour meeting with political stakeholders from Edo on the on-going voters’ registration exercise and the July 14 governorship elections.
Jega said the exercise would continue after the elections.
He said the suspension became imperative in view of series of allegations which trailed the exercise.
Jega said the governor of the state, the PDP governorship candidate, the PDP secretariat and two other unidentified groups had petitioned INEC on the exercise.
``The allegations are against individuals, political parties, groups and individuals, including INEC officials, said to be working illegally to subvert the electoral process.
``We consider the allegations weighty enough to commence thorough and meticulous investigation and immediate measures will be taken for redress.’’
Jega said that evidence was required for most of the allegations to be determined and those making the allegations were bound to provide the evidence.
He said the outcome of the stakeholders' meeting had brought about mutual trust and confidence for INEC to go ahead with preparations for ``transparent, free, fair and credible elections in Edo."
Jega said that the meeting had become necessary because the commission announced the date of the election and political parties had expressed concerns about INEC's preparedness for the election.
He said the unfolding political events in Edo portend danger for the July 14 governorship election, adding that the happenings in the state had over heated the polity.
The meeting was attended by Gov. Adams Oshiomhole, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and the Labour Party (LP).
Others in attendance were the National Conscience Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Mega Party. (NAN)
