Prof. Jega charges EC of Ghana to emulate the  Nigerian success 

The Immediate Past Electoral Commissioner of the Independent Nigerian Electoral Commission INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega has charged the Electoral Commission of Ghana to emulate the success of the Nigerian EC in her next election. 

Speaking at the 25th anniversary of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in Accra, Prof Jega stated that the healthy competition between the two countries should not remain on the football field but rather it should extend to the completion of political stability between the two countries. 
He admitted the 2015 election of Nigeria “wasn’t perfect, but there is a lot to celebrate.”

According to him, African countries can glean a lot from the election he presided over.

“In spite of many challenges, Nigeria’s 2015 elections was successful and showed remarkable improvements in the level of credibility over the 2011 elections… there is a lot that could be learned by other countries in Africa,” Prof Jega said at the gathering organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).

He added: “I want to say that all eyes were on Nigeria in 2015, so all eyes will be on Ghana in 2016 as you prepare and subsequently conduct your elections. As I mention earlier, as you have been beating us in soccer, you must now beat us in the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.”

Prof. Jega was also of the view that electoral commissions must have financial independence.

“Financial autonomy of a commission is important. The situation where a commission has to go cup in hand to a government will undermine the integrity of the commission,” the Nigerian academic and former Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano warned.
He added that he is ready to assist the EC in Ghana whenever the need arises. 

As Electoral Commissioner of Nigeria, Prof. Attahiru Jega played a leading role in ensuring credible and peaceful election in Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria. 

His successful steering of affairs during the recent elections in 2015 ensured and guaranteed stability in the sub region. 

He has since become one of the most sought after figures in Africa and has to date received several awards including, the 2015 Charles Manatt Democracy Award in Washington DC.

The IEA 25th Anniversary Lecture Series was on the theme: Towards Free and Fair Elections; The Nigerian Experience.”

The Board Chairman for the IEA, Dr. Charles Mensah stated that the institute has made some recommendations to the EC for electoral reform in the country.

The recommendations include change of voting date to November 7 and the abolition of the Strong room.

Prof Attahiru Jega will deliver two public lectures in Accra and Kumasi, during which he would shed light on the recent general elections in Nigeria and factors that ensured the credibility of the electoral process.

GBC