2015 POLLS: INEC DEFENDS PRINTING OF VERY SENSITIVE MATERIALS ABROAD

The Independent National Electoral Commission, has explained that the ballot papers for the 2015 general elections are being printed abroad, as part of measures to ensure credibility of the polls.

Giving the clarification in Abuja, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu said the integrity of the electoral process was of paramount interest to the commission.

He stated that the commission intends to use between seventy to seventy-five million ballot papers for each of the five elections.

Mr Idowu dismissed in strong terms, speculations that the commission has budgeted seventy-five million U.S. dollars to print the presidential ballot papers in Europe.

He however added that the non contentious ballot papers for this year’s election were being printed locally, while the very sensitive ones were sent abroad to avoid issues of credibility.

PRESIDENCY CHIDES APC OVER SMEAR CAMPAIGN

The Presidency has accused the All Progressive Congress of engaging in a campaign of personal ambitions, judging from the repeated allegations by Alhaji Lai Mohammed that Dr Goodluck Jonathan lacks the capacity to tackle insecurity and corruption. 

In a chat with State House Correspondents, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, said it was unfortunate that the APC spokesman was starting the year in a manner he termed, Lai habitual mounting of nonsense. 

Dr Abati maintained that close watchers of President Jonathan will sincerely testify that his administration is committed to fighting insurgency and corruption.   Dr Abati added that to demonstrate the political will and commitment of his administration, President Jonathan made the insecurity and corruption as major issues in his New Year in broadcast.

The Presidential Spokesman, wondered whether such distinct message is too complicated for Lai Mohammed to understand, except that he and his masters regard it as an opportunity to play cheap politics.