The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega , on Wednesday appeared before the Federal Executive Council.
He was at the meeting to brief the council members on the level of INEC’s preparation for the 2011 general elections.
Although it was not clear if the briefing was at the instance of President Goodluck Jonathan, Jega was given an opportunity to explain some issues.
Details of his briefing were not made public but THE PUNCH learnt that during the meeting, Jega told the council the arrangements that had been put in place by the electoral body to purchase the Direct Data Capturing machines for the compilation of a new voter register.
He was said to have also said that INEC‘s initial projections which led to the unit price of $2,000 for the DDCMs, did not include Value Added Tax.
A source at the meeting said he explained that this was the major reasön for the delay in signing the contracts for the supply of the machines by cöntractors.
The source said the INEC chairman made a fresh presentation, which FEC would approve next week.
Sources said that at the end of his explanations, the council assured him of its commitment to ensure that INEC conducted a hitch- free elections in 2011.`
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, explained that critical issues surrounding procurement formalities for the DDC machines were discussed.
Idowu said, “He (Jega) was at FEC but I was not there. However, I do not anticipate any likelihood that FEC will disapprove of anything on the DDC machines at this point.”
He, however, declined comments as to whether or not contracts for the supply of the DDCMs had been signed.
When pressed further, Idowu simply said, “The process is on. I spoke with the chairman this (Wednesday) morning and the information I have for you is that the process is virtually concluded.”
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