Nigeria's electoral body says committed to credible polls in 2019

LAGOS, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to the conduct of free, fair and acceptable elections in 2019.

Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the commission, gave the assurance at the Fourth Situation Room Stakeholders Forum on Elections, organized by a coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Abuja, the country's capital.

The commission was determined to ensure that the 2019 elections were free, fair and credible, he said.

According to him, 80 political parties submitted applications for registration ahead of the 2019 elections.

There are currently 67 political parties already registered in the country.

Yakubu said the commission was also being asked to register independent candidates for the elections.

"Right now, we are thinking of how to design our ballot papers to take care of all the registered political parties," he told his audience, adding that the commission would give special attention to the voters' register.

Nigeria is scheduled to hold general elections in February 2019.

The elections should be held not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days to the end of the incumbent's tenure, according to Nigeria's Constitution. Enditem