2015 Polls: Do Not Fail Nigerians...kwara Speaker Charges Inec

The Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly and APC candidate for House of Representatives (Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency), Barr. Razak Atunwa has called on the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission to afford the opportunity provided by the forthcoming election to uphold its integrity before Nigerians.

The Speaker enjoined the chairman of the Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega to be committed to the founding value of the commission which is to conduct a free and fair election in the nation.

Atunwa who made this known in a press statement commended INEC over the ongoing distribution of PVCs and the introduction of electronic card readers, saying the development introduced by the commission will enhance its commitment toward a transparent poll by guaranteeing one man, one vote which is the popular will of Nigerians.

Citing the success of the electronic card readers in Kenya, Sierra Leone and other African nations, Atunwa expressed serious optimism about the gesture, stating that it will minimize electoral fraud to the barest minimum in the coming elections.

Atunwa also charged INEC to be above board in fulfilling its salient promises to survive the antics of those who might want to subvert the democratic wishes of the people.

Atunwa said, “INEC must be commended for the ongoing distribution of PVCs and also the introduction of Electronic Card Readers for the forthcoming elections. However, as the pressure builds toward the election, INEC must be clear and transparent in its conduct as the election umpire.

"Nigerians look forward to a free and fair poll, INEC must not dash the hope of Nigerians. INEC must design its electoral operations in a way that will bring civility and honour to the election conduct and the commission as a whole.

"I urge the Commission to embrace and accustom itself to the use of modern technology that will shut doors against electoral fraud. The use of Card Readers will apparently lead to optimum transparency in the electoral processes. This must be done and proper training must be given to ad hoc staff in order to make use of the gadgets without abuse" he said

Atunwa charged Nigerians to collect their PVCs in order to participate in the forthcoming elections. "Bad leaders are elected by good citizens who refuse to vote, if we want change, if we want corruption and insecurity to stop, we must collect our PVCs and vote for change in the forthcoming elections" he added.