The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega on Sunday, March 29, addressed the media on the conduct of Nigeria’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
During the briefing, Jega addressed card reader issues, security challenged and premature announcement of election results.
Here are 10 important things he said:
-
INEC wishes to commend Nigerians for their large turnout and peaceful conduct during the elections.
-
The Commission is pleased that the elections went on smoothly across the country including the North-East where Internally Displaced Persons voted (Adamawa,Yobe,Borno).”
-
It is also gratifying to note that the card readers worked well in the majority of the Polling Units (PUs).
-
We commend the security agencies for their vigilance and dedication. In the course of the elections yesterday, the Commission has received reports of security challenges in some states that were repelled.
-
We received reports of a Boko Haram attack and a few ad-hoc staff of INEC lost their lives. We have reached out to the family of the bereaved and it is an unfortunate event.
-
“We received reports of underage voting from Taraba and we have instructed that the PO involved be identified. Underage voting is against the law, we are investigating reports and will take measures once this is established.”
-
This morning, I received a letter from APC calling for elections cancellation in Rivers, we are thoroughly investigating this. After investigation, we will brief the political parties of our findings.
-
It is true our INEC office in Rivers state was torched, we have informed police authorities. We have asked for additional security so this does not occur again.”
-
Only the INEC is empowered by law to announce results and it is an offence for anyone to preempt the Commission in this regard.
-
Collation of results will begin at 12pm tomorrow. We will declare results when it has been collated from the states.
