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| Prof. Atahiru Jega |
Former Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has expressed optimism that increasing use and mastery of technology by the commission would enhance the transparency and credibility of Nigerian elections.
A statement by Kayode Idowu Chief Press Secretary to the former INEC Chairman quoted him as saying this when he spoke in Washington, United States, where he was given the 2015 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
The former INEC Chair according to the statement noted that credit for the success of Nigeria's elections was not his alone but also his colleagues in the Commission, the different stakeholder groups and international partners, and especially the generality of Nigerian citizens.
He said: "I am humbled to be receiving the 2015 Democracy award, and will also like to recognise my colleagues at INEC for their dedication to a credible and transparent electoral process. Since I assumed the chairmanship of INEC in 2010, we worked hard to make the commission an Election Management Body (EMB) characterised by professionalism and integrity. From the beginning, our mission was not to just improve INEC, but to make it one of the most effective EMBs in the world."
He urged the international community to stay alert on the Nigerian electoral process, saying: "consolidating and deepening democracy in countries like Nigeria with a long history of authoritarian rule requires a collective and collaborative endeavour among domestic and international stakeholders."
According to the statement, the ceremony was the sixth of the annual award whereby IFES singles out a U. S. Democrat, a Republican and an International Awardee to be honoured for contributions to global growth of democracy.
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