Senator David Mark has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do a review of the just concluded 2015 general elections so as to address grey areas before conducting future polls.
According to The Nation, Mark said this yesterday, April 16, while exchanging views with the United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle.
The Senate President insisted that the review of the electoral process was imperative to perfect a system needed to strengthen and consolidate Nigeria’s democracy.
He also commended INEC for performing creditably during the polls but noted that the commission needed to improve on its strategies in future.
Mark praised the statesmanship displayed by President Jonathan in conceding defeat to Gen Buhari, noting that Jonathan’s conduct dowsed the tension that permeated during the election period
He said: “Our President, Goodluck Jonathan, deserves praises for immediately conceding defeat and congratulating the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari; an act that put paid to anticipated violence and acrimony.”
He also thanked international partners, including the U.S., United Kingdom (UK), United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for their supports and contributions to the exercise.
The U.S envoy congratulated Nigeria for the exercise saying his country was pleased with the successful conduct of the elections.
He said “I bring you good tidings from America. I am impressed with the successful conduct of the elections. Nigerians demonstrated enthusiasm and exercised their franchise.”
This is not the first time the Senate president will be calling on INEC to take cognizance of its shortcomings in the just concluded elections.
On Tuesday, April 14, while welcoming his colleagues back to the senate after weeks of election break, Mark also noted that correcting the mistakes made in the 205 elections would better prepare the commission for future elections.
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