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Reactions have continued to trail the alleged move by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to allocate more polling units to northern states than the South. To this end, former Commissioner for Information in Anambra State, Chief Maja Umeh, has urged the commission’s chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, to do everything within his power to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the commission.

In a recent interview at Awka, the state capital, Umeh, who is a senatorial aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), for Anambra South senatorial zone, advised the INEC chairman to first of all study the mood of Nigerians before taking major political decisions that are likely to heat up the polity; for example, the issue of the increase in the number of polling units for the states.

According to him, the statement credited to Jega on the issue has created doubts on his sincerity towards serving the people and ensuring free and fair election in 2015.

He noted that with the atmosphere fully charged, those responsible for the electoral system should be careful with what they do.

The former information commissioner said if INEC chairman was sure of the figures quoted as the number of registered eligible voters in the country, he should also compare it with the available figures of the country’s estimated population and that from the National Identity Card Management Commission (NIMC), to inject confidence in the people that the number of registered voters was authentic.

While urging those responsible for election duties not to discourage the electorate, Umeh said that Nigerians are prepared to participate effectively in the 2015 general elections.

•Photo shows Chief Maja Umeh.

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