laudable! Nat. Peace committee okays election date; says APC, PDP accept military involvement

INEC Chairman

By Evelyn Okakwu

The National Peace Committee for 2015 General Elections says that their will be no further adjournment of elections, in the country.

Speaking at the 4th media briefing Saturday in Abuja, Justice Roselyn Ukeje who spoke on behalf of the committee said the various stake holders in this year's election at the level of the Federal Government had agreed that the election would hold as planned."At this first meeting of the committee, the following eminent persons briefed the committee; that is the Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector General of Police and the chairman of INEC, all of them agreed that their would be elections on the days spelt out. Their is no fear of a further adjournment; because in any case, their is no power in the constitution to further adjourn the elections".

She said the committee reiterated the need for leaders of political parties to call their supporters to order, against the dissemination of hate speeches to avoid violence, adding that another meeting had been scheduled for the 18th or 19th of this month, before the commencement of the general elections.
 she said the committee would be better able to inform the public about its programs after the next meeting.
Regarding the role of the Military, Professor Osita Osita Director General Institute of Peace and conflict resolution in Africa said that it was agreed, as usual that the military's involvement would be from the background. "From the briefing provided by the INEC chairman, the Chief of Defence Staff, and of course the IGP; it was clear that the role of the military in election, across the country have always been unambiguous. They operate from the background. The military does not get involved at the poling areas. That is very clear. The INEC chairman did explain the context in which the military's involvement at the elections would be; without violating the electoral act. And I think the two main parties; that's the PDP and the APC were quite satisfied with the explanation given.

The spokes persons for the committee said INEC confirmed distribution of over 80 per cent PVCs adding that the commission was very ready for the elections.

Justice Ukeje further said the INEC chairman confirmed the efficacy of the card readers, adding that it is a workable device, which does not depict electronic voting.