‘We are not under pressure to declare elections inconclusive’ - Jega

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Atahiru Jega has said the commission is not under any pressure to declare the elections as inconclusive.

Jega made this known while fielding questions from journalist during a press briefing on the election situation at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.



He said: “we are not under any pressure to declare inconclusive the elections,” noting that he would be surprised if any of the candidates would be interested in that, but rather prefer to be declared winners.

Jega also said out of 150 thousand card readers utilized for the elections only 374 did not work which represents .025 percent of the total number, saying it was a tremendous achievement.

He confirmed that INEC has received a letter from the APC in Rivers State calling for the cancellation and rescheduling of the state election.
Jega said the Commission has commenced investigation but no decision has as yet been made, noting that the commission is concerned about what seems to be happening in Rivers state where there are many allegations of malpractices.

He added that INEC will investigate allegations of other malpractices and accusation of INEC staff colluding with politicians to commit electoral fraud, stating that INEC will take action.

Jega who declared that the elections were successful said INEC would improve in the April elections, however, admitting that: “there were lapses much more than we ourselves anticipated.”

Asked about military cordoning polling units in some states in the south east and South-South, Jega said he has not received any petition or information on the allegation, pointing out that INEC several levels of monitors in the regions.

Jega said the Commission hopes to keep to earlier promise of announcing elections results within 48 hours after elections, starting from the end of elections in most areas last night.