By Ben Agande
ABUJA— NATIONAL Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, yesterday, said that if the National Assembly delayed approval of the extension of time lines being sought by the commission beyond November, it would affect its plan for both the registration of voters and the 2011 elections negatively.

Jega who made the remarks when he received ambassadors of European Union countries, led by Ambassador David Macrae at the commission’s headquarters, said: “We are getting conflicting signals and if there are any delays in the National Assembly, it will affect us.

“The faster they are able to complete the amendment process, the better for us. If we have to get extension around November or December, then we will be back to square one. We do not want any extension that would affect the May 29 handover date.”

The INEC boss said though the challenges facing the commission were huge, it was determined to give Nigerians credible elections in 2011 and beyond, adding that the commission saw the production of a new voters register as a ‘national emergency.’

Jega noted that though the Federal Government had implemented about 80 per cent of recommendations in the report of Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais on electoral reforms, there were still challenges being faced by the country’s electoral process.

Procurement of Direrct Capture Machines

He acknowledged that the procurement of the Direct Data Capture Machines had witnessed some setbacks but said the commission was on top of the issues.

Jega said: “The acquisition of the DDC machines has reached an advanced stage. We have had some setbacks but we have made tremendous progress, the training of the trainers will commence next week.

“On the recruitment of ad hoc staff, we have signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, and very soon we will commence the training of the trainers next week.

“We are calling on our donor basket particularly the European Union for support both technically and financially. We are going to provide a level playing field for all contestants in the 2011 elections.”

The INEC boss said that although the commission was worried about the delay in amending the constitution and the Electoral Act it requested, it had another game plan to ensure the success of the elections and the voters register.

He added: “We have a plan B which we are keeping to our chest. We are committed, as a commission to the success of the voters’ registration and election in the new time-line.

“The background was that when we appeared before the NASS, we gave a confidential time-line so technically we are waiting for the amendments before we announce the new timetable. Once we get that extension there is no doubt that things will be much more relaxed.”

Earlier, leader of the delegation the European Union ambassadors to Nigeria, David Macrae, had told Jega they visited the Commission to get information from INEC about its level of preparedness for the elections.

Macrae said: “Our main interest is to have input from you regarding the new timetable for the elections and the level of your preparations. We are also here to show our support to the Commission.

“We want to also use this occasion to get information for the EU exploratory mission which will start its meeting tomorrow. The mission will later metamorphose into the EU support group to INEC.

“We are aware of the challenges and the pressure to conduct a free and fair elections and we are ready to partner with the Commission. We are going to provide support and technical aid to the commission.”