Poll Shift Saved INEC From Embarrassment - PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the rescheduling of the general elections is a blessing in disguise as it has saved the country and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from a huge embarrassment.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, according to Premium Times, said this in a statement on February 20, Friday, while highlighting the positives that have resulted from the poll shift.
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He said: “the fact that millions of Nigerians are still struggling to receive their PVCs a week after the February 14th date, clearly shows that the commission would have been thoroughly embarrassed had it gone ahead with the elections on that day.
“As at February 7, a week to the rescheduled elections, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega announced that only 45, 829, 808 representing 66.58 percent of the total number of registered voters have received their PVCs. INEC’s records also showed that 1.3 million cards were yet to be delivered by the printers while 1.1 million stolen cards were yet to be replaced as at that date.
“Whereas INEC gave the impressions that all processes including the PVC distribution will be perfected before February 14, it is disturbing that a week after that date, millions of Nigerians are still struggling to receive their cards, which confirms the fears that the commission was not truly ready for the election in February in spite of its posturing.
“Also, had the commission gone ahead with the polls on February 14, non-indigenes who were being denied their PVCs in select states such as Lagos and Kano would also have been disenfranchised. The shift gave INEC the time to tackle the issue, which led to the sacking of two of its culpable adhoc staff members in Lagos state.
“Furthermore, while briefing the Senate on Wednesday, the INEC Chairman had acknowledged that the postponement was a blessing in disguise which affords the commission and other stakeholders an ample opportunity to perfect all processes for credible elections."
The PDP also restated its readiness for elections adding that with its array of credible candidates, numerous achievements and support of Nigerians, it is assured of emerging victorious at the polls.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday also noted that it would use the opportunity offered by the postponement of the elections to organize extensive hands-on training on the use of card readers for its ad hoc staff.
Source: Legit.ng
