The Independent National Electoral Commission has assured Nigerians that the mistakes that characterised the Anambra State governorship election in November 16, 2013, would not be repeated in the governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun states scheduled for this year.
The chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, expressed the optimism during a courtesy call on him in Abuja by the Ambassador of Netherlands to Nigeria, John C.M Groffen.
Speaking specifically on the forthcoming governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states later this year, Jega said the commission was determined not to allow a repeat of the November 16 Anambra governorship election mistakes.
Meanwhile, Groffen had cautioned against political instability of the country ahead of 2015 describing the crisis in Peoples Democratic Party as interesting.
Jega, who acknowledged the various concerns raised about 2015, said INEC had learnt some lessons from previous elections and was therefore poised not to repeat those mistakes.
He said, “What happened in Anambra State was unfortunate and it will not in any way represent what will happen in 2015. We learnt additional lessons from it and we are factoring it in our preparations for 2015.
“We will have two governorship elections this year and we are doing all possible to ensure they are conducted smoothly, freely and fairly. We have mapped out detailed plans from previous elections.
“We are aware that stable nation will lead to improved economic growth. Our job is to use electoral process to ensure that elections are conducted with credibility and add to political and economic stability of the country.
“We have also learnt the hard way that sometimes in spite of our best efforts, things happen which raise questions about our preparations.”
“I am pleased to inform you that prospects of the coming year are good because we have done extensive research and preparations since 2011 and we have made remarkable improvements into the process. As we move to 2015, we are confident that it will be much better than 2011,” Jega assured.