The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it is working towards making sure that the general elections fixed for February 14 and 28 hold as scheduled.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, speaking in Abuja, however, refused to react to comments credited to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, asking the commission to delay the elections to allow for adequate distribution of Permanent Voter Cards.

The NSA was quoted in the media as having advised INEC to delay the elections scheduled for February in order to allow for proper preparations. He was said to have given the advice during a discourse at London think-tank, Chatham House, allegedly stating that it would be advantageous if the upcoming elections were postponed. Dasuki has vehemently denied the allegations.

Jega assured Nigerians that INEC had not participated in any communication about a postponement of the elections.

While maintaining that the commission had no intention of postponing the polls, he said it is prepared to distribute the voters’ card till February 13 if it becomes necessary as it remains mandatory for electorates to vote with their PVCs.

The INEC Chairman maintained that the card would ensure that those who snatch ballot boxes find them useless.

He also absolved INEC of blame in the slow distribution of the PVCs.

He alleged that citizens were not coming out to collect their PVCs, but were blaming INEC for not meeting up with challenges of distributing them.

•Adapted from a Channels TV report. Photo shows Jega.