Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega has assured Nigerians that the problems witnessed in the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State will not be repeated in the June 21 governorship poll in Ekiti State.

Jega gave the assurance yesterday at an Election Stakeholders’ Meeting with representatives of political parties in Ado-Ekiti.

He said the commission was working on measures to improve the voter register to prevent disenfranchisement.

Describing the Anambra experience as a “hullabaloo”, Jega said INEC was working hard to make the election the best in the country’s history and restore the confidence of Nigerians in the electoral process.

He assured the people that the poll would reflect their wishes.

The meeting was attended by former House of Representatives’ Speaker and Interim Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bello Masari; APC National Vice Chairman, Southwest, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, a former governor; APC Interim National Secretary Tijani Tumsah; Director-General of the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation Bimbo Daramola; APC State Interim Chairman Chief Olajide Awe; Secretary to the State Government Ganiyu Owolabi; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State Chairman Makanjuola Ogundipe and Labour Party State Chairman Akin Omole.

Some members of the State Executive Council and the House of Assembly members were also at the meeting.

Jega warned politicians against making frivolous statements that can heat up the polity.

He was reacting to former Governor Ayodele Fayose’s accusation that INEC was plotting with the APC to rig the election.

INEC National Commissioner, Southwest, Prof. Lai Olurode was the first to react to Fayose’s allegation. He warned politicians against making reckless statements, adding: “The door of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) is open to all parties and I appeal to you to refrain from making frivolous and unsubstantiated allegations. If you are not satisfied with the REC’s explanation, my office and that of the INEC chairman are open to you 24 hours on any issue that needs clarification.

“INEC has no ally, anointed leader or interest in who emerges Ekiti governor. If you have any fact, make it available to INEC and it will be promptly investigated. We must avoid making reckless statements. The allegation that we met with APC leaders in Lagos is not true. Since the appointment of this management, we have not done anything that has tainted our image or impugned on our integrity.”

Corroborating Olurode’s defence, Jega said INEC would not take politicians making allegations serious until they produce evidence to substantiate their allegations.

To prove that INEC is non-partisan, he said a REC, who was indicted by a Court of Appeal, was asked to leave the commission.

Jega said: “The only REC asked to step aside was the one indicted by the Court of Appeal. If you have anything against any of us, come with evidence and do not distract us with spurious and unsubstantiated allegations because we want the system to keep on going. We will do our best to remain focused. We welcome constructive criticisms. We will take abuses until our stomachs are full and we can no longer stomach them. We will do our best to remain impartial and non-partisan. Anyone working against what we stand for shall be dealt with. We are doing our best to make the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State the best.”

Describing Ekiti as one of the states with the largest population of enlightened voters, the INEC chairman urged the people to conduct themselves with decorum during the election.

As part of measures to improve on the Anambra poll, Jega said parties would be given copies of the updated voter register to scrutinise it.

He said the commission had succeeded in eliminating multiple voting, adding that result sheets are now customised.

Jega said Ekiti would be the first state where the permanent voter card would be used for an election.

He said people whose names are not on the register will not get permanent voter cards, but would be allowed to vote with temporary voter cards.

Jega said those who have attained the minimum voting age of 18 years will be captured during the Continuous Voter Registration holding from March 12 to 19.

Voter’s verification and the distribution of permanent voter cards are slated for March 7-9.

Expressing dismay with the display of campaign billboards and posters in the state, Jega described the action as illegal. Urging politicians to play the game according to the rules, he advised them to remove the billboards and posters to avoid being prosecuted.

Jega said anyone caught registering more than once would be prosecuted.

He assured that no party’s name or logo would be missing from the ballot papers and urged rulers to appeal to their subjects to be peaceful.

Jega urged parties to field credible agents, who cannot be bought over by more privileged parties, to ensure a credible poll.