Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has assured the international community that rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for Saturday would be held.
Prof. Yakubu made this assurance in Abuja on Wednesday while addressing a cross section of the diplomatic community and international election monitoring groups.
The briefing was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with INEC.
Yakubu, who was represented by an INEC National Commissioner, Mustapha Lecky, assured that the commission has completed the deployment of materials.
“We believe that as a prayerful nation the act of God has been assuaged and that things will go right, we have no reason to feel that anything will go wrong.
“We have received all the materials, they have been checked, audited people have been informed, party agents have gone there to check,” he said.
Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, said the police was working in collaboration with other security outfits to protect lives and property during the elections.
Adamu emphasised that he would ensure ballot box snatchers and other criminal elements who may attempt to scuttle the polls are arrested and prosecuted according to the law.
“The police will be professional, impartial and will create a level playing ground for all parties.
“All security personnel were trained by various security agencies, training was also given by Civil Society Organisations and other partners towards free, fair and transparent elections.
“I have spoken to Nigerians. We, on our part, will be professional and impartial.
“We are going to create enabling environment for all the political parties to operate freely without molestation without favouring one party against another,” he said.
