By Ben Agande
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday, told Nigerians not to expect a perfect election in 2011, saying the commission under his leadership will strive to improve on the record of the immediate past elections by conducting free, fair and credible elections.

In a remark at the national dialogue towards an inclusive and participatory 2011 election in Nigeria yesterday, Jega said the task of conducting a free, fair and credible election was the collective responsibility of all Nigerians.

“I wish to assure all of you here, and indeed, all Nigerians, that our resolve to conduct credible elections in Nigeria that significantly improves on all past efforts is serious and irrevocable,” he said.

According to Jega, “although the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in 2011 is the principal responsibility of INEC, it is not its exclusive responsibility. I believe that it is a task for all Nigerians. Consequently, beyond our own preparations, there is the need to mobilise public involvement and participation that will ensure that all those who are to be registered actually come out to do so within the schedule time.”

On the forthcoming voters registration, the INEC chairman said the commission’s preparations were aimed at ensuring that “there are no serious hitches and that our people, whose confidence in the electoral process was shaken by the errors of the past, now see that there is the political will, honesty of purpose and total commitment on the part of INEC to deliver free, fair and credible elections based on a reliable Voters Register’.

Yesterday’s dialogue was organised by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation and chaired by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais.

Jega said in order to give more credibility to the forthcoming elections, “INEC is considering involving Nigerian citizens even more in the conduct of elections. It is our hope that we can approach some of the very credible, distinguished and non-partisan Nigerians who are well respected for their integrity to play electoral roles.

“We will be fine-tuning these expected roles and will hope that you will respond positively when we call on you in this regard. We hope that from this dialogue, we will be able to recruit some of you as Goodwill ambassadors. I look forward to your participation in some of the non-partisan follow-up activities.”

In his remarks, Justice Uwais enjoined Nigerians to support INEC in order to bring about the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.

He also enjoined the commission to work hard to restore the confidence of the people of Nigeria on the electoral process by ensuring the conduct of credible  elections.