2011: INEC to engage military n distribution of materials Military

2011: INEC to engage military in distribution of materials
Military
INEC said in Abuja today that it would insist on the use of the military for successful and timely distribution of materials for the 2011 general elections.

Mr Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it was a standard practice to involve the military in such an exercise.

Idowu said the services of the military were employed in the past to overcome prevailing challenges in transversing tough terrains.

He added it was crucial to ensure that election materials were successfully distributed to such areas.

``It is a standard practice that would have no negative implications, the military was used in the past and that recorded successes.

``So we are fine tuning guidelines to ensure another success this time around,’’ Idowu said.

NAN recalled that Jega during an interactive session with traditional rulers in Ibadan on Friday revealed INEC’s plan to use the military in 2011 elections.

Reacting to INEC's engagement of the military in distributing election materials, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) lauded the initiative in terms of logistics needed during elections.

Mr Osita Okechukwu, National Publicity Secretary, CNPP, however, said that while the military would be used for the purpose of distributing materials, `` they should be out of the conduct of the proper elections’’.

``In terms of logistics, the use of the military is the best option but they shouldn’t help in the conduct of the elections,’’ said Okechukwu.

Similarly, a pro-democracy group, the Northern Patriotic Front (NPF) said the use of the military to distribute materials should not arouse any worries among the electorate.

Alhaji Ali Abacha, the Chairman of NPF, said that inviting the military for distribution of materials was aimed at confronting the challenges inherent in tough terrains.

Abacha stressed the need for a reform in the behaviour of eligible voters toward a successful 2011 general elections.

He also called on the political parties to take voter education as a necessity for a successful electoral process.

Abacha said the group would also enlighten the electorate on the gains of partaking in the electoral process through their sensitisation programmes.

``The sensitisation programme would cut across all the northern states of the country with a view to enlightening the electorate on the imperative of participating in the electoral process,’’ he said.

Abacha said the enlightenment programme would target people at the motor parks, places of worship and educational institutions.