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Nigerian Election Arrangements on Track, says Electoral Official

   Independent  National  Electoral  Commission  official in Rivers State
   says voting will be transparent and fair, does not expect voter apathy

   Tony Tamuno | Port Harcourt, Nigeria  March 27, 2011

   A  Nigerian  elections  official  says that this monthâs presidential,
   legislative  and gubernatorial polls â due to begin next week â are on
   track. .

   âAlready  we  have  distributed  most  of  the  materialsâ says Aniedi
   Ikoiwak  of  the  Independent  National Electoral Commission (INEC) in
   Rivers State. He adds that there are instructions on the new method of
   voting  which is called the Modified Open Ballot System: âWe have also
   reached  out  to  the  press,  and  enlightened  Nigeriansâ on the new
   system,â he says.

   Map of Nigeria

   Ikojwak  says  the  news  system,  which  was  created  to improve the
   credibility  of  the vote, involves roles and responsibilities for the
   electorate,  security  agents,  politicians and the commission. âEvery
   person  will see exactly what is done and how itâs done.â This way, he
   says,  everybody  will  be accredited, involved, and know whatâs going
   on.

   The  INEC  official  dismisses critics who say many people will choose
   not  to vote this year: âI donât think there will be voter apathy... I
   remember  that  there  were Nigerians who spent a whole night; some of
   them  were  at  the  registration centers by 3 oâclock in the morning;
   nobody  compelled  them....I  think  Nigerians  are  waiting for these
   elections.â

   Ikojwak also says measures have been taken to improve the transparency
   of  the  polls.  He  says  in  an  effort  to  discourage  bribery  by
   politicians, election officials were chosen from local communities. He
   says  the  system  has enough rules and procedures to catch and punish
   anyone who tries to manipulate the polls.

   Â

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