2019 Elections: ‘If Not Them, Where Else Can We Get Serious-minded People to Conduct Elections, INEC Lauds VCs

  • Yakubu says the current partnership between INEC and the Universities must be sustained.
  • ….It is those who are really involved in the conduct of elections that know what it means…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the inclusion of  University Vice-Chancellors and other Academics in the electoral process is vital to the sustenance of democracy in the country.

Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi in a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday said the commission’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made the commitment at the Post 2019 General Election Review Retreat with Collation and Returning Officers in Lagos.

The chairman further said that the current partnership between INEC and the Universities must be sustained because it is vital for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.

READ: Politicians Praise INEC When Election Favour Them And Do Otherwise When It Is Against Them -Chairman

While noting that the Commission was under obligation to thank the Vice Chancellors that served as State Collation Officers for the Presidential Election and Returning Officers for the Governorship elections for their immense services to the nation, Yakubu said only those who are involved will appreciate what it means to conduct elections in Nigeria.

“Anything that anybody has told you before is just a story. It is those who are really involved in the conduct of elections that know what it means. The Commission deeply appreciates your service and sacrifice, resulting in some cases, to violent confrontations.

“We saw the way you handled the violent confrontations by partisan actors on election day. We have also seen social media assault and regrettably, in some cases, even physical assault.

“We remember the sleepless nights, the media exposure, the criticisms, the condemnations, the commendations and in some cases, a recognition earned after the elections.”

READ: We Have Improved in Its Performace With Each Elections – INEC Chairman

Yakubu who also pointed that the Commission was convinced that their roles were unique added that “if not for the Vice-Chancellors, where else can we have the pool of serious-minded and credible Nigerians for such an onerous responsibility?

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