TheCable

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has promised Nigerians that the electoral body will conduct free and fair elections in 2015.

Speaking on Monday during a three-day training workshop in Abuja, Jega said INEC would help political parties develop electoral skills ahead of the election.

“As you are no doubt aware, it is part of the responsibility of INEC to assist political parties to develop on their electoral skills,” he said.

“Since the 2011 general elections, improvements have been made to the electoral policies of the commission, the objective being to ensure a more efficient and hitch-free electoral service delivery in the 2015 general elections.

“Many of the reforms and innovations in the electoral process of the commission have been radically different from what many of us used to know. The only way to keep political parties abreast and up-to-date with these reforms is not only through constant communication and interaction but in addition, through periodic training and re-training of members of political parties.”

He said such training would continue in order to expose political parties in the country to conform to the acceptable standard across the world. He also expressed appreciation to the organisations that collaborated with INEC to hold the programme.

“Through periodic training exercises, the commission hopes to bring political parties up to date on international best practices meant to standardise the conduct of elections across the globe.

“If things must be done right, political parties also need to learn and benefit from such best practices and apply these to their routine work and activities.

“This workshop, therefore, should be seen as part of the continuing partnership between the commission and political parties, especially through the IPAC. It is our belief that through this constant interaction and engagement we all stand to add value to the quality of elections in Nigeria.

“We hope to provide you with what you need to know and what they need do if they were to serve as Agents of their respective political parties on Election Day. In developing the modules for this training workshop the Commission, through its Electoral Institute have been able to take into account all the laws, guidelines and regulations relating to Election Day activities.”

He said INEC brought together seasoned and experienced trainers to facilitate the training, adding that participants will find the exercise very valuable.

“This workshop is designed as TOT because we hope that beneficiaries will cascade the training to other members of their various political parties. Therefore, we do not expect participants to keep this knowledge to themselves; we hope that their respective political parties will sponsor similar training workshops amongst their members nation-wide.

“I will like to specially thank DGD-UNDP for providing funding support for this workshop. I do hope that they will continue to support the Commission in its goal of improving the electoral process in Nigeria.”