• Friday, March 29, 2024
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INEC vows to beat 2015 record as Germany demands credible polls

INEC vows to beat 2015 record as Germany demands credible polls

As the world and Nigerians curiously await the outcome of the February/March general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has vowed to beat the record of the 2015 general elections which led to the peaceful transition of power from the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the main opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.

Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman gave this commitment Thursday while playing host to the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Bernhard Schlagheck and German Secretary of State Walter Lindner at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Yakubu said INEC was determined not just to repeat the feat attained in the 2015 polls but to improve on it to further affirm the maturity of Nigeria in democracy and reinforce the confidence of Nigerians as well as the international community in the electoral body.

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“We are aware that in 2015 Nigeria conducted election that is acknowledged and praised around the world. We have been beneficiaries of your elections. Each time we travel on election observation around the world, people turn to us not only to praise the achievement of Nigeria in 2015 but to learn from the experience of Nigeria.

“It is exactly 36 days today from the 2019 elections. Already, the long term observation mission from the European Union is in Nigeria for the election which is the further affirmation of the interest of the international community in our elections but we are still willing to benefit in preparing for this election in our relationship with the international community”, he stated.

Earlier, Germany Secretary of State, Lindner reminded INEC that in 2015 Nigeria conducted election that is example to the African Continent and the entire word which set a standard with which the 2019 general elections would be measured and charged the Commission to be neutral so as to guarantee free and fair elections.

Lindner noted that Nigeria being the economic power house of Africa with over 200 million people, Germany and the rest of the world are interested in the political stability of the country, hence whatever happens in Nigeria negatively has repercussion for the whole world and promised support the nation’s electoral process.