Barely 30 days to the April general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission and officials of the United States Government on Tuesday, began private talks on ways of enhancing the credibility of the polls.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, led the Nigerian team, while the United States Under Secretary on Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Ms. Maria Otero, led the US team.
The parley, which began at 3:25pm lasted till 5:15 pm. Details of the meeting were still sketchy as at press time.
But both parties in their preliminary remarks before the close-door session raised issues that bordered on challenges the commission faced as it prepared for the elections.
Otero said that despite the fact that INEC registered about 67million eligible voters out of the 70million it had projected, the US would still like to know how the exercise was carried out; and if there were lingering issues that arose from it that needed to be dealt with.
One of the concerns associated with the voter registration exercise was double registration. One state, Imo, recorded 11,000 cases of the offence, despite being classified a major offence in the Electoral Act.
The US considers the April 2011 polls crucial to the stability of the West African sub-region.
This is against the backdrop of growing turmoil in oil producing Arab states, especially countries in North Africa, which are of strategic and economic importance to the US and her western allies.
Otero said, “This is the third time that I have been here as part of our effort to work closely with the bi-national commission as a recognition of the important partnership between these two countries.
“And we know that as the preparations for the elections come up, which is to come up quite soon, I want to begin with commending you Mr. Chairman for the very important and very good work of INEC in preparing for this election and in carrying out very important responsibilities that are essential in order for Nigerians to be able to participate in a fair and free and transparent elections.
“We understand that your assessment is that you registered 67 million voters out of the 70 million that you projected and that in itself is very commendable and very encouraging.
“In that regard, it will be very important to hear your assessment of how it went and if there are any issues that you are concerned with the registration that you think is important to address before the elections.”
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