INEC to begin voter registration in May ahead of 2015 election, says Prof Attahiru Jega

Prof. Attahiru Jega, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said the commission would commence its continuous voter registration in May ahead of the 2015 election.

Jega said this at the opening ceremony of the INEC/State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) Experience Sharing Conference, organised by United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) in Kaduna.

He said,  "The continuous registration exercise is to ensure those that have turned 18 years between 2011 and now are registered before the 2015 general elections.

"More polling units would be created in the next year general election to decongest large polling units.

"Also those that were 18 and above but were unable to register for one reason or the other would be given opportunity to register.

"There's need for closer synergy between INEC and SIECs, toward ensuring free, fair, peaceful and credible elections in the future.

"State governments should ensure absolute independence of SIECs and credible elections at the grassroots.

"There cannot be credible polls at national level when the foundation is faulty.

"We believe the 2015 general elections would be the most credible in the history of Nigeria considering the INEC's level of preparedness."

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