The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, on Monday stated that there was no truth in the various reports that he was being forced to proceed on a terminal leave.
Jega spoke on Monday at a Town Hall meeting in Abuja organised by Reinvent Media in conjunction with Ford Foundation and Kukah Centre.
Jega similarly dismissed rumour that he was under pressure to resign from office before the general elections.
The INEC chairman further stated that the use of the military for elections is constitutional.
He maintained also that the use of card reader remains the best option for the forthcoming general elections in the country, stressing that no cloned card reader will be used.
He categorically stated that the use of military personnel in elections is defined in the constitution where they are expected to maintain law and order.
His words: “Terminal leave is an option, a grace period given to anyone to go on leave before he finally leaves office.
“For me, terminal leave is not an option.
“Nobody has asked me to proceed on terminal leave other than what I read in the newspapers.”
Jega pointed out that he was not losing focus in ensuring that his job is done.
According to him: “it would be unfair for me to say that I will resign when I have a job to do. I remain focused.”
He said the call for his resignation was politically motivated by some politicians.
He told Nigerians and others that a lot of things being said were diversionary.
The INEC chairman expressed satisfaction with the security situation in the North East ahead of the election.
“We are very much satisfied on the security situation,” he said.
The INEC chairman, who stated that it is expected that there would be three police personnel at every polling station, said “no armed policeman is allowed within the polling units. Armed policemen are allowed only 300 meters from the polling units.
“The military personnel are allowed as defined in the constitution where they are expected to maintain their constitutional duties.
“The armed personnel are allowed to ensure that there are maintenance of law and order and avoid the breakdown of law and order.
“We never have had military men within the polling units. The military is only invited by the Inspector General of Police.”
Jega said the non-registration of Young Democratic Party will not affect the conduct of the general elections.
Jega disclosed that INEC has already appealed against the order of the Federal High Court as well as a stay of execution.
He explained that the court has even said that it did not make such order that YDP should partake in the general elections.
Speaking on the extent of preparedness of the Commission for the general elections, Jega said: “We are ready and prepared for the elections and we will meet the aspirations of Nigeria.”
He expressed the firm optimism that the Permanent Voter Cards and Smart Card Readers will add value to the general elections.
His words: “We are ready for peaceful, credible and transparent elections. We are adequately prepared to provide a free and fair elections that is better than the 2011 election.”
Jega expressed happiness with the extent of the distribution of the PVCs, which he put at over 81 per cent.
He revealed that during the last governorship election in Ekiti State, the collection of the PVC was at about 65 per cent.
Jega concretely assured Nigerians that the over 700,000 PVCs, which are yet to be distributed, would be made available to their respective states latest by Wednesday this week.
He assured Nigerians that the 2015 elections will be much more better and acceptable than that of the 2011.